EARTH, MOON, AND PLANETS

Prerequisites: recommended preparation: a working knowledge of high school algebra. The overall architecture of the solar system. Motions of the celestial sphere. Time and the calendar. Major planets, the earth-moon system, minor planets, comets. Life in the solar system and beyond. This course is similar to ASTR BC 1753. You cannot enroll in both courses and receive credit for both.

• MW 8:40 a.m.-9:55 a.m.
• Instructor: David J Helfand
  CULPA: 40 Info
• 3 points

STARS, GALAXIES & COSMOLOGY

Distances to, and fundamental properties of, nearby stars; nucleosynthesis and stellar evolution; novae and supernovae; galaxies; the structure of the universe and theories concerning its origin, evolution, and ultimate fate. You can only receive credit for ASTR UN1404 if you have not taken ASTR BC1754, ASTR UN1420 or ASTR UN1836.

• TR 1:10 p.m.-2:25 p.m.
• Instructor: James H Applegate
  CULPA: 44 Info
• 3 points

THEOR-UNIVERS:BABYLON-BIG BANG

Milestones in the science of cosmology over the past 6000 years. Skylore and observation in ancient cultures. The twin revolutions of the Greeks: Pythagoras and Ptolemy; and Aristotle, Aquinas, and the Great Chain of Being. The scientific revolution: the impersonal and deterministic world-order of Newton, Laplace, and Kelvin. The erosion of that world-order by mathematics and experiment in the 20th century (relativity, quantum physics, dark matter, and the expanding universe). Todays searches for a new grand order in the Universe, which can cope - or maybe not - with these blows to yesterdays comfortable wisdom.

• MW 6:10 p.m.-7:25 p.m.
• Instructor: Joseph Patterson
  CULPA: 33 h-index: 54 Info
• 3 points

STARS AND ATOMS

Prerequisites: recommended preparation: a working knowledge of high school algebra. 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.

• TR 8:40 a.m.-9:55 a.m.
• Instructor: Kathryn V Johnston
  CULPA: 4 h-index: 54 Info
• 3 points

INTRO TO ASTROPHYSICS II

Prerequisites: a working knowledge of calculus. Corequisites: the second term of a course in calculus-based general physics. Continuation of ASTR UN2001; 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, and cosmology.

• TR 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
• Instructor: Mary Putman
  CULPA: 3 h-index: 54 Info
• 3 points

MODERN STELLAR ASTROPHYSICS

• MW 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
• Instructor: Melissa K Ness
  Info
• 3 points

OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY

Prerequisites: one year of general astronomy 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.

• R 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
• Instructor: David Schiminovich
  CULPA: 7 Info
• 3 points

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH

Prerequisites: the instructors permission. For an independent research project or independent study, a brief description of the proposed project or reading, with the supervising faculty members endorsement, is required for registration. A 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 is required at its completion (note that a two-term project can be designed such 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 terms. Both a substantial written document and an oral presentation of thesis results are required.

• Instructor: Frederik Paerels
  CULPA: 21 Info
• 3 points

ASTROSTATISTICS

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.

• TR 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
• Instructor: David Kipping
  CULPA: 4 h-index: 44 Info
• 3 points

STELLAR STRUCTURE & EVOLUTION

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.

• MW 10:10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.
• Instructor: Greg Bryan
  CULPA: 4 h-index: 70 Info
• 3 points

PHYSICAL COSMOLOGY LEC

• MW 2:40 p.m.-3:55 p.m.
• Instructor: Zoltan Haiman
  CULPA: 1 h-index: 83 Info
• 3 points

RESEARCH SEMINAR II

• M 4 p.m.-5:15 p.m.
• Instructor: Frederik Paerels
  CULPA: 21 Info
• 3 points