8.282J | Spring 2006 | Undergraduate

Introduction to Astronomy

Readings

Readings refer to:

Zeilik, Michael, and Stephen A. Gregory. Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics. 4th ed. Fort Worth, TX: Saunders College Publishing, 1997. ISBN: 9780030062285.

LEC # TOPICS READINGS
1 Course Organization; Introduction

2 Greek Astronomy

3-4 Astronomy in the Era of Copernicus, Tycho, Kepler, and Galileo; Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion

5 Review of Classical Mechanics; Circular Orbits Chapter 1
6-7 Full Kepler Orbit Problem Chapter 1
8 Introduction to Electromagnetic Waves; Doppler Effect Chapter 8
9-10 Reflection, Refraction, and Optics

11-12 Optical, Radio, and X-Ray Telescopes Chapter 9
13-14 Distances and Magnitudes Chapter 11
15 Binary Systems Chapter 12
16-17 Hertzsprung-Russell Diagrams Chapter 13
18-20 Initial Mass Function; Olbert’s Paradox; The Milky Way Chapters 14, 19, 20
21-25 Birth, Structure, and Evolution of Stars Chapters 15, 16
26-28 Star Death: White Dwarves, Neutron Stars, Supernovae, and Black Holes Chapter 17
29 Cepheid Variables; Mass Transfer Binaries Chapter 18
30-31 Interstellar Medium Chapter 15
32 HII Regions; Galaxy Types Chapters 15, 21
33 Masses of Galaxies and Galaxy Clusters; Distance Ladder Chapters 21, 22, 23
34 Age and Large Scale Structure of the Universe; Intergalactic Medium Chapter 23
35 Active Galactic Nuclei Chapter 24
36-37 Newtonian Cosmology; Thermal History of the Universe Chapters 25, 26

Course Info

As Taught In
Spring 2006
Learning Resource Types
Problem Sets with Solutions
Exams