Stars, Galaxies and the Universe Lectures

Catalog description

An introduction to astronomy as a science, emphasizing celestial objects beyond our solar system. Throughout the course, comparison of observations with theoretical models be stressed. Topics include the size and scale of the universe, using light and gravity to study the cosmos, the sun, the properties of other stars, lives and deaths of stars, star clusters, black holes, the Milky Way galaxy, dark matter, other galaxies, quasars, Big Bang cosmology, dark energy, and gravitational waves. Particular emphasis will be placed on recent discoveries. There is no lab component for this course, but PHY 160 has a lab component and covers similar material. Prerequisite: Students cannot earn credit for both PHY 160 and PHY 161 . Offered Spring.