Astronomy

Introduction to astronomy intended primarily for nonscience majors. Includes the history of astronomy; the apparent motions of the moon, sun, stars, and planets; gravitation and planetary orbits; the physics of the earth and its atmosphere; and the exploration of the solar system. This course is similar to ASTR W1403. You cannot enroll in both courses and receive credit for both.

Examines the properties of stars, star formation, stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis, the Milky Way and other galaxies, and the cosmological origin and evolution of the universe. Students may not receive credit for both ASTR BC 1754 and ASTR C1404.

Introduction to ideas and models of thought in the physical sciences, adopting as its theme the use of the atom as an imperturbable clock. Lectures develop basic physical ideas behind the structure of the atom and its nucleus and then explore such diverse applications as measuring the age of the Shroud of Turin, determining the diets of ancient civilizations, unraveling the evolution of the universe, and charting the history of earth´s climate.

The overall architecture of the solar system. Motions of the celestial sphere. Time and the calendar. Life in the solar system and beyond. Students may not receive credit for both ASTR BC1753 and ASTR C1403.

Distances to, and fundamental properties of, nearby stars; nucleosynthesis and stellar evolution; novas and supernovas; galaxies; the structure of the universe and theories concerning its origin, evolution, and ultimate fate. Professor Applegate's sections do not qualify for QUA. Students may not receive credit for both ASTR BC1754 and ASTR C1404.

The content, structure, and possible evolution of galaxies. The '21-centimeter line': the song of interstellar hydrogen. Distribution mass, seen and unseen, in galaxies and clusters of galaxies. Distribution of clusters over the sky. Quasars and the nuclei of galaxies. The origin of the universe, and the present controversy over its eventual fate.

This laboratory is for the lecture courses ASTR BC1753x or ASTR C1403x. The lecture course must be taken concurrently.

Laboratory for ASTR C1404. Projects include use of telescopes, laboratory experiments in the nature of light, spectroscopy, and the analysis of astronomical data.

The first term of a two-term, calculus-based introduction to astronomy and astrophysics. Topics include the physics of stellar interiors, stellar atmospheres and spectral classifications, stellar energy generation and nucleosynthesis, supernovae, neutron stars, white dwarfs, interacting binary stars.

Continuation of ASTR C2001. These two courses constitute a full year of calculus-based introduction to astrophysics. Topics include the structure of our galaxy, the interstellar medium, star clusters, properties of external galaxies, clusters of galaxies, active galactic nuclei, cosmology.

Several members of the faculty will each offer a brief series of talks providing context for a current research topic in the field and will then present recent results of their ongoing research. Opportunities for future student research collaboration will be offered.

Introduction to general relativity, Einstein’s geometrical theory of gravity. Topics include special relativity, tensor calculus, the Einstein field equations, the Friedmann equations and cosmology, black holes, gravitational lenses and mirages, gravitational radiation, and black hole evaporation.

The standard hot big bang cosmological model and other modern observational results that test it. Topics include the Friedmann equations, the standard model of particle Physics, the age of the universe, primordial nucleosynthesis, the cosmic microwave background, the extragalactic distance scale, and modern observations.

Introduction to the basic techniques used in obtaining and analyzing astronomical data. Focus on 'ground-based' methods at optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths. Regular use of the telescope facilities atop the roof of the Pupin Labs and at Harriman Observatory. The radio-astronomy portion consists mostly of computer labs, In research projects, students also work on the analysis of data obtained at National Observatories.

Variety of research projects conducted under the supervision of members of the faculty. Observational, theoretical, and experimental work in galactic and extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. The topic and scope of the work must be arranged with a faculty member in advance: a written paper describing the results of the project will be required at its completion. (A two semester project can be designed so that the grade YC is given after the first term.) Senior majors in Astronomy or Astrophysics wishing to do a Senior Thesis should make arrangements in May of their junior year and sign up for a total of 6 points over their final two semesters. Both a substantial written document and an oral presentation of thesis results will be required.

Variety of research projects conducted under the supervision of members of the faculty. Observational, theoretical, and experimental work in galactic and extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. The topic and scope of the work must be arranged with a faculty member in advance: a written paper describing the results of the project will be required at its completion. (A two semester project can be designed so that the grade YC is given after the first term.) Senior majors in Astronomy or Astrophysics wishing to do a Senior Thesis should make arrangements in May of their junior year and sign up for a total of 6 points over their final two semesters. Both a substantial written document and an oral presentation of thesis results will be required.

Radiation mechanisms and interaction of radiation with matter. Applications of classical and semiclassical radiation theory and atomic physics to astrophysical settings. Radiative transfer, polarization, scattering, line radiation, special relativity, bremsstrahlung, synchrotron radiation, inverse compton scattering, ionization losses, shocks and particle acceleration, plasma processes, atomic structure and spectroscopic terms, radiative transitions and oscillator strengths, curve of growth, molecular spectra.

Topics include the physics of stellar structure, stellar atmospheres, radiation transport, nucleosynthesis, stellar evolution, star formation, pulsation, interacting binary stars, white dwarfs, and neutron stars.

Detailed introduction to the instrumentation used in astronomy and the methods used to obtain and analyze data. Six main topics are included: the effects of the earth's atmosphere on radiation; astronomical optics and telescopes; detectors; observational methods; data reduction; and statistical methods. All the main observational methods (imaging, photometry, polarimetry, and spectroscopy) are treated.

An introduction to the fundamental concepts of fluid dynamics with focus on standad applications of the theory to a variety of important astrophysical situations and objects. A brief introduction to several key numberical concepts. A brief description of the complications that arise when a fluid is magnetized.

First term of a two-term calculus-based introduction to astronomy and astrophysics. Topics include the physics of stellar interiors, stellar atmospheres and spectral classifications, stellar energy generation and nucleosynthesis, supernovae, neutron stars, white dwarfs, and interacting binary stars.

Several members of the faculty each offer a brief series of talks providing context for a current research topic in the field and then present results of their ongoing research. Opportunities for future student research collaboration are offered. Grading is Pass/Fail.

The goal of the course is to illustrate — and perhaps even inculcate — quantitative and scientific reasoning skills. The subject material employed in this task is the study of atoms and their nuclei which, through a wide variety of physical and chemical techniques, can be used to reconstruct quantitatively the past. Following an introduction to atoms, light, and energy, we will explore topics including the detection of art forgeries, the precise dating of archeological sites, a reconstruction of the development of agriculture and the history of the human diet, the history of past climate (and its implications for the future), the history and age of the Earth, and the history of the Universe. The course has no required text. Readings of relevant articles and use of on-line simulations will be required.

Galaxies contain stars, gas dust and (usually) super-massive black holes. They are found throughout the Universe, traveling through space and occasionally crashing into each other. This course will look at how these magnificent systems form and evolved,  and what can they tells us about the formation and evolution of the Universe itself. You cannot enroll in ASTR W1420 in addition to ASTR BC1754 or ASTR W1404 and receive credit for both.

This course will explore the unique properties of Earth, compared to other planets in the Solar System, and the possibility of Earth-like planets around other stars. The basics of the Solar System, gravity, and light will be covered, as well as the geology and atmospheres of the terrestrial planets. The properties of Earth that allowed life to develop and whether life can develop on other planets will be discussed. Finally, the discovery of planets beyond our Solar System and the likelihood of another Earth will be a key component of the course.

What is the origin of the chemical elements? This course addresses this question, starting from understanding atoms, and then going on to look at how how atoms make stars and how stars make atoms. The grand finale is a history of the evolution of the chemical elements throughout time, starting from the Big Bang and ending with YOU. You cannot enroll in ASTR W1836 in addition to ASTR BC1754 or ASTR W1404 and receive credit for both.

The physics and astrophysics of planets, comets, asteroids, natural and artificial satellites, and pretty much anything in the Solar System - including the Sun. Detailed study of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans:  circulations, climate, and weather. Orbital dynamics. The emerging science of extrasolar planets.  The origin, evolution, and eventual fate of planets.

The structure of galaxies and the physical processes that underlie it. Topics include: current galactic structure, the interstellar medium, dark matter, gas dynamics, shocks, gravitational collapse, star formation, supernovae remnants, stellar dynamics, spiral arms, galaxy formation.

How and why do humans explore space? Why does it require such extraordinary effort? What have we found by exploring our Solar System? We investigate the physics and biological basis of space exploration, and the technologies and science issues that determine what we can accomplish. What has been accomplished in the past, what is being explored now, and what can we expect in the future? How do space scientists explore the Solar System and answer science questions in practice? What do we know about solar systems beyond our own?

A survey of the most energetic and explosive objects in the Universe and their radiation. Topics include: techniques of X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy; observations of neutron stars (pulsars) and black holes; accretion disks and relativistic jets; supernovae, supernova remnants, gamma-ray bursts, quasars and active galactic nuclei; clusters of galaxies; cosmic rays and neutrinos.

Einstein's General Theory of Relativity replaced Newtonian gravity with an elegant theory of curved spacetime. Einstein's theory led to unforseen and unnerving predictions of singularities and cosmological instabilities. Nearly a century later, these mathematical oddities have been confirmed astrophysically in the existence of black holes, an expanding universe, and a big bang. The course will cover Einstein's General Theory, beginning with special relativity, with an emphasis on black holes and the big bang.

Astronomers live in era of “big data”. Whilst astronomers of a century ago collected a handful of photographic plates each night, modern astronomers collect thousands of images encoded by millions of pixels in the same time. Both the volume of data and the ever present desire to dig deeper into data sets has led to a growing interest in the use of statistical methods to interpret observations. This class will provide an introduction to the methods commonly used in understanding astronomical data sets, both in terms of theory and application. It is one six classes the department offers every fourth semester.