DATE

TOPIC

Reading

Feb 1

Introduction: Scale of the Universe, Powers of 10

Ch. 1, A1,2

3

Scale: the Solar System

Ch 1, 16.2

8

Scale: the Milky Way and Galaxies

Ch1, 12.1

10

Scale and the Solar System: Continued

15

The view from Earth: Constellations and the celestial sphere

Ch 2

17

The Sun, the ecliptic, season (HW#1 Due)

Ch 3

22

Phases of the Moon, lunar and solar eclipses

Ch 3

24

Aristotle vs Copernicus, Kepler's Laws (HW#2 Due)

Ch 4

29

Newton's Laws and the Universal Law of Gravitation

Ch 4

March 2

Midterm #1 (CH1-4)

7

Light and the electromagnetic spectrum

Ch 5

9

Telescopes on Earth and in space

Ch 5

14

Atoms and radiation laws

Ch 6

16

Spectra of stars and nebulae

Ch 6

21

The Doppler effect and its applications

Ch 6

23

The Sun and fusion power (HW #3 due)

Ch 7, 9-2

28

The distances and brightness of stars

Ch 8

30

Sizes, masses, and lifetimes of stars

Ch 8, 9.4

April 4

The birth and life of stars

Ch 9

6

Stellar old age and death (HW #4 due)

Ch 10

11

The stellar graveyard: white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes

CH 10, 11

13

Midterm #2

18-20

Spring Break

25

The Milky way Galaxy

Ch 12

27

The Universe beyond the Milky Way

Ch 13

May 2

The Big Bang Theory

Ch 15

4

The geometry of space-time and the fate of the Universe

Ch 15

9

Black Holes, Time Warps, Time machines

Ch 15

11

No Class – Advising Day

16

Life in the Universe

Ch 20

18

Searches for extra-solar planets and life (HW #5 due)

Ch 20

25

Final Exam: 8 - 10:30 am