Course overview
This course aims to present a survey of astronomical science, including highlights of modern exploration and the open questions in astronomy. Topics include the formation and characteristics of the Solar System, including the planets and minor members of the system; Telescopes; the Sun; the birth, life and death of stars; galaxies and dark matter; active galaxies and quasars; Big Bang cosmology. There are no formal prerequisites for the course, though mathematical literacy at year 10 level is assumed.
Course learning outcomes
- Describe the features of objects in the Solar System (i.e. Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, planetary interiors, atmospheres, etc.) giving details of similarities and differences between these objects;
- Detail the presently accepted formation theories of the solar system based upon observational and physical constraints
- Detail changes observed when viewing the sky daily, weekly, monthly, annually and longer period of time and demonstrate an understanding of the reasons behind any observed changes;
- demonstrate an understanding of the basic properties of the Sun and other stars;
- Explain stellar evolution, including red giants, supernovas, neutron stars, pulsars, white dwarfs and black holes, using evidence and presently accepted theories
- Detail the main features and formation theories of the various types of observed galaxies, in particular the Milky Way
- Explain the evolution of the expanding Universe using concepts of the Big Bang and observational evidence
- Use information learned in class and develop observation skills to be able to explain astronomical features and observations obtained via telescopic observations or data provided through computer simulations.
Degree list
The following degrees include this course