Syllabus and Description

Introduction

Both cosmology and planetary science are rapidly changing fields. For just this reason, this syllabus is not fixed in stone. I can say that we will cover galaxies and cosmology first, then turn to planets. We will use your 205a textbook, the new edition of Marc Kutner’s Astronomy: A Physical Perspective. We will supplement this with useful review articles from magazines and journals. Be warned that Kutner's book is peppered with typos (I’ll hand out a list of some of them.).

Brief Description

Introduction to the study of the properties of galaxies and their nuclei; cosmology; the Hot Big Bang model; the properties and evolution of the solar system; planetary surfaces and atmospheres; and exo-planets. Prerequisites: Astro 205a, Math 114b or equivalent.

List of Topics to be Covered

1. galaxies as systems of stars (parallels chapter 17 of Kutner)

optical properties, and other properties of galaxies

rotation curves, Dark Matter

counts of galaxies

2. clusters of galaxies (chap. 18)

Dark Matter again

intergalactic matter (IGM)

3. active galaxies and non-optical emission (chap. 19 of Kutner)

non-optical emission

the “central engine”

AGN unified model

4. a whiff of radio and X-ray astronomy (chaps. 17 and 19)

5. large-scale structure (chap. 18)

6. cosmology as a unique science (chaps. 18 and 19)

the cosmological principle

expansion: H₀ and t₀

the role of matter

the cosmological equation

solutions; asymptotic behavior

tests (especially angular diameter)

evidence for Dark Energy

7. the Hot Big Bang model (chap. 20)

the cosmic microwave background (CMB): spectrum; anisotropy power spectrum

role of Dark Energy

nucleosynthesis in the Big Bang inflation (and some particle physics)

8. galaxy and structure formation as an unsolved problem*

9. general properties of the solar system*

10. formation of the solar system*

11. structure of rocky/icy worlds (chaps. 23 and 24)

core/mantle; surface properties; evolution of surfaces

12. planetary atmospheres (chaps. 23-25)

hydrostatic equilibrium

greenhouse effect

13. gas giants (chap. 25)

14. exo-planets and the future of the solar system

There will also be special topics scattered throughout as “dessert lectures,” self-contained mini-lectures on more current or snazzier astrophysics. e.g.,

- gravitational lensing with galaxy clusters like A2218

- CMB measurements and the role of polarization

- Dark Energy

- extreme radio sources

- Brane worlds

- global warming

In some cases, I propose to make these self-contained classes into open classes, and to invite anyone who wants to attend. Some of these topics (e.g., global warming and climate change) may appeal to many of your fellow students—feel free to ask them to drop in.

Other Details

There will be almost weekly homework sets, generally due on Thursday. Some of the problems I will ask you to do by yourself. Others will be group projects—I urge you to form groups of 2-4 early on to tackle these more demanding problems/projects. I’ll have more to say about the distinction between individual and group problems later.

There will be three tests at more or less equal intervals throughout the course, two on galaxies and cosmology, one on planets.

I will also assign a couple of projects in the form of class presentations—more on that later. One that will be assigned is for you to “adopt” a planet or large satellite to give a talk on.

Office Hours, etc.

My email address is bpartrid@haverford.edu; phone 610-896-1144. Probable office hours Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, 1:30-4 p.m.

*Topics not well covered in Kutner.