Welcome to Astro 105

The Milky Way:

Coming of Age in an Awfully Big Galaxy

Basic Information

Summary

This focus of this course is the structure and content of our home town (cosmologically speaking) - the Milky Way Galaxy. If you have ever watched any science fiction you might have noticed that the stories always take place within the Milky Way. That seems to show a startling lack of imagination when you consider that there are billions and billion of them out in the Universe. The reason for this is simple. The Milky Way is a swirling collection of 100 billion stars of which our little Sol is but a one. Galaxies are really really big. Big enough, in fact, for just about all the stories anyone might want to imagine. In this class we will take a 3 month tour of our corner of the Universe exploring what's in it, where it came from, and where its heading. In the process we will learn alot about stars and their lifecyle. We will spend a fair amount of time on stellar birth and death including Black Holes (too cool!). We will also spend some time exploring the issue of life in the Milky Way. The recent discovery of planets may mean that life is more common than previously supposed. Or maybe not, its a hot topic.

We will also spend a fair amount of time learning about the history and philosphy of science. While the astronomical pictures and mind-numbing theories are fascinating and great fun to sink your brain into, the nature and process of science that is interesting in itself. Is science true? Does it have claim to accessing an independent reality that will still be here after your gone? Should you be shelling out your tax dollars to support it? You can't get away from these questions when you think about science. In the process of learning about the Milky Way we will also explore issues like these in both a modern and historical context.

This is class is open to all students. You do not need calculus but you will be expected to learn to use some basic algebra. Sorry, but you have to learn to speak at least some part of the language if you want to hear its poetry. Anyway its good for you. It really will help you snag that big job 10 years from now.

Grading Policy

Course will be graded on a curve!

9 Homeworks: 30% of final grade

2 Midterms 40% of final grade

Final Exam 30% of final grade

On exams you are allowed to bring 1 sheet of 11x8.5 paper which you can copy anything you want on to. Exams are a mix of multiple choice and Essay questions. Calculators are allowed.

 

Cheating: Don't do it. If you get caught you will get punished.

What Consitutes Cheating: On the exams it's obvious - looking at somebody else's test or bringing in materials you are not supposed to have. On the homeworks it is more subtle. I encourage people to work together. But the work you hand in should be your own. If we see two homeworks that are idenitcle we must assume that someone just copied someone else's work.

In order to help us with this aspect we ask that you: Always list whomever you worked with at the beginning of your homework!

Important Dates

(Check Here Often as These May Change)

--NOTICE--

TA Val has kindly agreed to hold a

review session

Monday 6 pm

Bausch & Lomb 109

Lecture VIII is now (partially) available