In Astro 150, an introductory course in modern astronomy for non-scientists, we begin by understanding the motions, distances, sizes, and spectra of stars. We explore how they are born, and the changes they go through as they run out of fuel and die. This brings us to supernovae, neutron stars, and black holes. We then step outwards and explore the structure and evolution of our own Milky Way Galaxy, and the billions and billions of other galaxies, clusters of galaxies, and bizarre active galaxies and quasars. We investigate current theories of cosmology, the origin and structure of the Universe, and the Big Bang, and finish with a brief discussion of the possiblities of intelligent life in the Universe beyond Earth.
Announcements
- Astro 150 starts up on Tuesday, August 18 - in one form or another. Stay tuned!
In the meantime, have a safe summer!
- Ames Area Amateur Astronomers (i.e. AAAA) has a monthly star party at McFarland Park in normal times; hopefully to resume soon. Click for details.
"Everyday" things from class...
- Textbook: OpenStax: Astronomy, Digital Edition
- Electronic versions of the lecture notes
- Course Info
- Course outline
- Astronomy Picture of the Day
- Reading Assignments
- Useful links...
Older items
- There is no past (yet). But the links below preview what we'll start with...
- Some details on the fact that we are all made of "star stuff."
- Another way to view the scales of the Universe via xkcd.com
- A timeline for the Earth.
- Another view of the timeline of the Earth
- Another way to view the scales of the Universe via xkcd.com
Other things of note for the course
- A word about the textbook for this class:
The text book for this class is, believe it or not, totally free and available online! Here is a link to Open Stax: Astronomy
This is a collaborative text expanding on one of the best ``old school'' astronomy textbooks (one that I used to use) - it has been fully updated by the original authors along with a team of astronomers from across the globe (including me). It has been made possible through the Open Stax initiative.
You may access the entire text online, download it as a PDF for printing, or if you'd rather have someone else go to that trouble, you can buy a printed copy directly from the publisher. Check out the link above. The ISU Bookstore may have a few printed copies, but at a price.
Readings will be assigned in this text and in other web-based sources - see the course outline and announcements on the website.