Natural Science 1740 6.0 York University

ASTRONOMY

www.yorku.ca/pdelaney/nats1740

 

Course Outline

 

2002-2003

 

Course Director &     M. Bietenholz

1st Term Lecturer:

Office:                         Petrie Science Bldg., Room 337

Phone:                        416 736 2100 ext. 60259

E-mail:                        mfb8@polaris.phys.yorku.ca

 

2nd Term Lecturer:     N. Bartel

Office:                         Petrie Science Bldg., Room 331

Phone                         416 736 5424

E-mail:                        bartel@yorku.ca

 

The Natural Science courses at York University are designed for students who are not intending to become professionally involved in science.  However, science is a part of everyone's day to day life, and as such, it is important to become familiar to a certain extent with the scientific method and outlook and to be cognizant of some of the achievements of scientific thought.  The various NATS courses offer the opportunity to investigate the scientific process in a non-technical but nevertheless thought-provoking manner.

 

Natural Science 1740 6.0, Astronomy, discusses one of the oldest sciences.  In the course, topics ranging from the origin and structure of our planet through to the evolution of the stars in the night sky and the overall structure of the Universe will be studied.  The historical development of astronomical concepts as well as the latest results from ground and space observatories will be discussed.  Topical subjects like the disappearance of the dinosaurs, brown dwarfs, black holes, dark matter, the Great Attractor, and the Big Bang are included.  With the assistance of Planetarium demonstrations and telescope observing nights, it is hoped that all students will gain familiarity with the stars in the night sky.  The course will make extensive use of audio-visual presentations and computer software.  The course is not taught at an advanced mathematical level.  High school mathematics up to the level of Grade 11 (basic principles of geometry and algebra, but not calculus) is all that is necessary.  Assistance with mathematical manipulations is provided in all laboratory periods.

 

In short, the science of Astronomy will transport you back to the beginnings of civilization and then forward to contemplate the ultimate future of the Universe.  Not all answers are known and the ongoing need for research will become evident.  In essence, astronomy is the study of all that is.  As with most areas of human knowledge, the more you know, the more fascinating a subject becomes.  Enjoy.

 

Important Dates and information:

 

The last day to ENROL in a course without Course Director permission for Term Y is Friday, September 20, 2002.

 

The last day to DROP a course without a grade being submitted for Term Y is Friday, February 9, 2003.

 

Students who feel that there are extenuating circumstances which may interfere with the successful completion of the exam or other course requirements are encouraged to discuss the matter with the Course Director as soon as possible.

 

Students with physical, learning or psychiatric disabilities who require reasonable accommodations in teaching style or evaluation methods should discuss this with the Course Director early in the term so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

 

The Division of Natural Science website is located at www.nats.yorku.ca

 

Outline of Lecture Course  (guide only)

 

First Term

 

1.      The Sky (2 weeks)

{-} The appearance of the night sky.

{-} Mapping the sky.

{-} The apparent motions of astronomical objects.

 

2.      History of Astronomy (3 weeks)

{-} Astronomical history up to the 14th century.

{-} Copernicus, Kepler, Brahe and the new vision of the Universe.

{-} The understanding of Kepler's Laws and the Copernican view of the solar system.

 

3.      Newton and the nature of light (3 weeks)

{-} Understanding the concepts of Newton's laws of motion.

{-} Fundamental properties of electromagnetic radiation.

{-} Telescopes on earth and in space and the problems of light pollution.

 

4.      The Solar System (4 weeks)

{-} Fundamental properties of the planets and satellites.

{-} The contrast between terrestrial and Jovian planets.

{-} Interplanetary debris and the disappearance of the dinosaurs.

 

Second term

 

1.      The Solar System (1 week)

{-} Formation and evolution of the solar system.

 

2.      The Stars (3 weeks)

{-} The Sun, an average star close-up.

{-} Measurements of fundamental properties.

{-} Atmospheres, interiors, and the source of power.

 

3.      Star Systems and Stellar Aging (3 weeks)

{-} Multiple stars, Star clusters.

{-} Stellar birth and death and the theory of stellar evolution.

{-} The story of Supernova Shelton, 1987A.

 

4.      The Milky Way (2 weeks)

{-} Stellar, interstellar, and dark components.

{-} The size, shape, composition, and structure.

{-} Activity and evolution.

 

5.      The Realm of the Nebulae - Galaxies (2 weeks)

{-} The types and properties of galaxies.

{-} The extragalactic distance scale and the distribution of galaxies in the Universe.

{-} Quasars, Seyferts, jets, and other exotic extragalactic objects.

 

6.      Cosmology and Cosmogony (l week)

{-} The size, age and expansion of the Universe.

{-} Current theories on the structure, evolution, and formation of the Universe.

{-} The possibilities and options for life in the universe.

 

Format of the course and term work

 

There will be three one hour lectures given each week for this course on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 1130 hrs in Curtis Lecture Hall L, CLH-L.  In addition, each student must attend a two-hour laboratory period every second week, during which an exercise must be completed.  Two of these assignments will be computer (PC) based.   (There are a total of 8 such exercises in the two terms.)

 

Attendance at the lectures is highly recommended, because the professors greatly enhance the material covered in the textbook.  (Also, refer below with respect to the video quizzes.)  Attendance will be taken during the laboratory periods.

 

The breakdown for the course assessment is as follows:

 

Laboratory exercises (8)                  25%

Video quizzes                                    5%

Fall term exam (December)             30%

Winter term exam (April)                  30%

Term project                                      10%

Total                                                   100%

 

Throughout the year several video presentations will be given to further enhance the lecture material.  Astronomy is a very visually appealing course and as such, lends itself to the video format.  To ensure that this material is viewed by as many as possible, questionnaires concerning the video will be handed out in class to be completed by the student during the video.  The completed material will constitute a portion of the final grade.  (These are VERY easy marks.)  Missed quizzes video will be assessed as zero marks.  Further, it will greatly enhance the learning process if you read the relevant chapter in the textbook before you come to class. 

 

The term project will require some independent research and involve some outside work under the stars.  The project will be due near the end of the Fall term.  Because of the considerable time allowed for the term project (approximately 2 months), the deadline for submission will be adhered to strictly.  Completion of the laboratory work and the term project will significantly enhance a student's overall mark.  You are strongly encouraged to complete this work to the very best of your ability.

 

Note that the University will set the examination schedules.  The material in the exams will be set by the term lecturer upon work presented in class and from the textbook.  It is the student's responsibility to be available to take the exams during the examination periods.

 

Textbook

 

The textbook for the course is 'Astronomy Today' by Eric Chaisson and Steve McMillan (4th Edition).  It is available from the campus bookstore.  Material covered during the lectures will often be referenced in this book.  Approximately chapters 1 through 14 will be dealt with in first term while chapters 15 through 28 will be covered in the second term (approximately).  An additional mandatory set of lab exercises and term projects will be available from the bookstore early in the Fall term.

 

A Note Concerning Plagiarism

 

Any material submitted by a student for this course must be original unless otherwise acknowledged.  Collaboration with colleagues on a problem is an essential part of science, but to claim credit for work performed by others is both unethical and unacceptable.  Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated.  The penalty for such offences range from a failing grade on the submitted material to expulsion from the University.

 

Recommended Reading

 

The following is a list of books and references that cover topics discussed in the course.  Most are of a non-technical nature.  Some, however, are more advanced and others are included for the star gazing enthusiast.  All library reference numbers are for the Steacie Library unless otherwise stated.

 

The Observers Handbook, (1996).  Full of useful data for the amateur produced by the R.A.S.C.

 

A.     P. Norton; Star Atlas.  Essential maps for the amateur astronomer.

 

D. Menzel; Field Guide to the Stars and Planets.  Handbook for amateur astronomy.  QB64 M4

 

J. K. Beatty et al; The New Solar System.  An up-to-date summary of the solar system.  QB501 N47

 

O. Gingerich; New Frontiers in Astronomy.  A Scientific American collection covering many areas of astronomy.  QB512 F74

 

R. Burnham; Burnham's Celestial Handbook, Volumes 1, 2 and 3.  Excellent survey of the constellations and their contents.  QB64 B85

 

W. J. Kaufmann III; Relativity and Cosmology.  Presents current ideas in a lucid fashion.  QB981 K3