Astronomy 150: Concepts in Modern Astronomy
This web page is no longer used for ASTR 150. Please consult the materials available on Brightspace.
Time and location:
Monday and Thursday 11:30 am - 12:50pm in Cornett A121.
Office hours:
Monday, Thursday 2 - 3 pm Elliott 208,
Textbook:
"Astronomy Today" by Chaissson & McMillan. There is a special UVic ring-bound
version on sale at the
bookshop, which is much cheaper than the hardbound version. The text book
is not compulsory, but recommended. However, the Mastering Astronomy
(online access for assignments) IS compulsory.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you buy the ASTR150 version (this text is used
for some other courses too), that is bundled with the online component
`Mastering
astronomy'. Purchasing the Mastering astronomy component
separately works out a lot more expensive than buying the new bundled
ring-bound version, so weigh this up before considering a second hand
book purchase.
Mastering astronomy/assignments:
You must have a registration to
Mastering astronomy for this course. Complete the registration as
soon as you have purchased the book. Instructions for
how to register .
Register here.
All assignments are done through MA, however, YOU MUST ALSO SUBMIT A
PAPER COPY OF YOUR ASSIGNMENT BY THE SAME DEADLINE. Failure to submit
hard copy AND the electronic copy will result in a zero grade.
Labs:
Contact Karun Thanjavur (karun at uvic.ca) with lab queries,
or details on the
lab schedule . Labs start the week of Jan. 9.
NOTE: You must pass the lab to pass the course - it is therefore very
important to attend the labs and hand your reports in on time.
Assessment
7 assignments (see below) 20%
Mid-term, Feb 23, 20%
Labs, 20%
Final, 40%
NOTE: THERE ARE NO LATE MARKS FOR ASSIGNMENTS OR LABS.
Images from the lectures
These are not lecture notes, because they mostly contain pictures!! The lectures include lots of images and diagrams, which it is useful to make your notes on. I suggest printing these out 2 or 4 per page,and bringing them to lectures.
The night sky and how we observe it
The history of modern astronomy
The properties of stars
Stellar evolution, Einstein and extreme astrophysics.
Galaxies . Article on the Hubble constant.
The Big Bang and cosmology
The solar system and other worlds
Also: link to interactive animations shown in class
Guest lecture notes:
Luc Simard: The Thirty Metre Telescope
Jon Willis: The Search for Life in the Universe
In-class practice multi-choice questions
The night sky and how we observe it. Answers: 1c, 2d, 3b, 4d, 5a, 7d, 8c, 9b
The history of modern astronomy. Answers: 1c, 2a, 3b, 4a, 5a, 6a
The properties of stars. Answers: 1d, 2b, 3b, 4d, 5b, 6c
Galaxies. Answers: 1a, 2a, 3c, 4b, 5d, 6b
Einstein and stellar evolution. Answers: 1a, 2b, 3c, 4d, 5a, 6b, 7a, 8a, 9c, 10e, 11d
Cosmology. Answers: 1a, 2e, 3c, 4a, 5c, 6b, 7c, 8b
Soalr system and other worlds. Answers: 1a, 2a, 3d, 4c, 5a, 6c, 7d
Exams etc.
Please review a copy of the
equation sheet . Copies are provided in the mid-term and the final exam.
Mid-term: Feb 23 in class.
Final: April 19 2pm
Astronomy A150 Assignments
All assignments are done through the
Mastering astronomy online system,
which is bundled with your text book. Check in your MA account for deadlines.
A paper copy of
your working must be handed in by the same deadline, else zero marks
are given. Assignments are usually available 2 weeks
before deadline:
Assignment 1: The sky and how we observe it
Assignment 2: The origin of modern astronomy
Assignment 3: Measuring the properties of stars
Assignment 4: Galaxies
Assignment 5: Stellar evolution
Assignment 6: Cosmology
Assignment 7: The solar system and other worlds
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