Astronomy Course Descriptions
1050: The Solar System (3)
Fulfills Physical/Life Science Exploration. Astronomy--from ancient to modern times. Central theme will be the attempt to understand the nature and origin of our solar system starting with early ideas of the cosmos, proceeding through investigations that led to the scientific revolution of the 17th century and culminating with the observations and discoveries made by the 20th-century space program. Topics will include apparent motions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars; seasons and eclipses; principles of light and telescopes. Films of the Mariner, Viking, Voyager, Galileo, and Pathfinder missions and the latest Hubble images will be included.
1060: The Universe (3.)
Fulfills Physical/Life Science Exploration. Modern astronomy--central theme will be modern science's attempt to understand the nature and origin of the universe at large, including the matter and radiation that make it up. Specific topics include stars, exotic stellar objects (white dwarfs, red giants, neutron stars and black holes), supernova explosions, the origin of atomic elements, galaxies, giant radio sources, quasars, clusters of galaxies, the fabric of space and time, and Big Bang cosmology.
1080: Does Extraterrestrial Intelligence Exist? (3).
Fulfills Physical/Life Science Exploration. Most arguments for the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) rest on the Principle of Mediocrity, which asserts that on the cosmic scale there is nothing special about either the earth or the human beings who inhabit it- so intelligent extraterrestrials ought to exist. We will discuss the possibility of finding them by radio searches currently in progress, or by direct contact via future space exploration. If we're nothing special, then ETIs should have developed millions of solar systems long before ours did and the presence should already be known to us. Yet, we've never seen a single shred of evidence to support the existence of ETI, so where are they? This seemingly innocuous question represents a paradox whose scientific and philosophical implications will be fully explored. We will make reasonable estimates of the number of ETIs that co-inhabit our galaxy based upon our current understanding of cosmology, stellar and planetary evolution, anthropology, the nature of life, and evolutionary processes that have produced the human species, the probable sociology and philosophy of intelligent civilizations, and the possible evolution of non carbon-based ETI. If we conclude that the number of ETIs is small then we must explain the uniqueness of our existence, given the Principle of Mediocrity. But, if we conclude that the number is large, then we must ask the question, so where are they? Either conclusion has profound consequences for the continued existence of the human species. All speculation is based on sound scientific principles and current theories and facts drawn from a highly diverse set of scientific principles.
2060: Popular Observational Astronomy (3).
Prerequisites: Elementary Algebra, PHYS 1060 or 1070. This course will serve as an introduction to the tools and techniques used in optical and radio astronomy. Using the facilities at the University of Utah Observatory, we will explore the cosmos and study the Sun, planets, asteroids, stars and galaxies. Measurements of basic properties of astronomical objects will be performed. Quantitative analysis of these measurements will enable us to determine such things as the mass of jupiter as well as the ages of stars.
3060: Introduction to Astrophysics (3).
Prerequisites: PHYS 2220 or Equivalent Recommended Prerequisite PHYS3760, 4420, 3740, or equivalent An introductory course in astrophysics including observational astronomy (celestial coordinates, astronomical instruments, stellar magnitudes and spectra) and stellar astrophysics (radiation and energy transport, stellar evolution, star formation). Discusses novae and supernovae, white dwarves, neutron stars, and black holes. The course will introduce concepts of statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, special relativity and general relativity as needed to help explore the course topics.
4060: Observational Astronomy for Scientists (3).
Prerequisites: ASTR 3060. Recommended prerequisites: Familiarity with computers, PHYS 2220. This course will serve as an introduction to the tools and techniques used in optical and radio astronomy. Using the facilities at the University of Utah Observatory, we will explore the cosmos and study the Sun, planets, asteroids, stars and galaxies. Measurements of basic properties of astronomical objects will be performed. Quantitative analysis of these measurements will enable us to determine such things as the mass of Jupiter as well as the ages of stars.
4080: Introduction to Cosmology (3).
Prerequisites: PHYS 2220 or Equivalent Recommended Prerequisite PHYS 3760, 4420, 3740, or equivalent, ASTR 3060. An introductory course which explores modern cosmological concepts. Discusses formation of galaxies, and clusters of galaxies, the expansion and the age of the Universe. Topics include the existence and properties of the cosmic microwave background, the origin of the light elements, cosmological inflation, and the role of dark matter and dark energy in the formation and expansion of the Universe. The course will introduce concepts of statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, special and general relativity as needed to help explore the course topics.
5580: Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology(3) (Honors).
Prerequisites: PHYS 3740, 3760, 4410, 4420 and MATH 250 or equivalent. A core course which explores modern cosmological concepts. Develops a mathematical formalism necessary to understand the formation of galaxies, clusters of galaxies, large scale structure and the expansion and the age of the Universe. Topics include the existence and properties of the cosmic microwave background, the origin of the light elements, cosmological inflation, and the role of dark matter and dark energy in the formation and expansion of the Universe.
5590: Stellar Astrophysics and Compact Objects (3).
Prerequisites: PHYS 3740, 3760, 4410, 4420 and MATH 250 or equivalent. A core course which develops a physical methodology to understand the origin and evolution of stars. Discusses formation of stars, stellar evolution, star clusters, novae and supernovae, white dwarves, neutron stars, and black holes. Topics include Cepheid variables, Wolf-Rayet Stars, binary stellar systems and accretion disks.