Ay 20 - Basic Astronomy and the Galaxy

Institution:

California Institute of Technology

Subject:

Astrophysics

Description:

The electromagnetic spectrum and basic radiative transfer; ground and space observing techniques; “pictorial Fourier description” of astrophysical optics; Kepler’s laws; exoplanets; stellar masses, distances, and motions; the birth, structure, evolution, and death of stars; the structure and dynamics of the Galaxy. Lessons will emphasize the use of order-of-magnitude calculations and scaling arguments in order to elucidate the physics of astrophysical phenomena. Short labs will introduce astronomical measurement techniques. Instructor: Johnson.

Credits:

10.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Ma 1 abc, Ph 1 abc or instructor’s permission.

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.caltech.edu

Phone Number:

(626) 395-6811

Regional Accreditation:

Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Quarter

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