DATE                      TOPIC                           READING ASSIGNMENT


Monday, Jan. 6     Introduction: Tour of the Universe     Prologue
                   Light                                  Secs. 4.1-2, 4.6
                     How do we learn about the universe?       
                       By analyzing the light we receive.  
                     Light is an electromagnetic wave     Sec. 4.1
                       with frequency(f), period(P), 
                       & wavelength(lambda)                 
                            f = 1/P, lambda = cP = c/f

                     Light is particles (photons)        
                       with frequency(f),energy(e), and wavelength
                       ephoton=hf=hc/lambda
                     Spectrum of light                    Figure 4.5, Sec. 4.2
                     Doppler shift                        Sec. 4.6

Wednesday, Jan. 8  The Universe                           Chapter 25, 28
                   Pretest (no preparation)
                   Universe is Expanding                  section 25.5
                     Distances to other Galaxies          section 25.4
                     Hubble Law                           section 25.5
                     Age and Scale of the Universe        section 28.1

                   Homework #1, due Wednesday Jan 15

Monday, Jan. 13    Gravity                                section 2.2-3, 23.1-3
                   Newton's Theory of Gravity             sections 2.2-3

                        Force of Gravity = G M m / R2

                   Einstein's Theory of Gravity           sections 23.1-3

                   Observation of SN: Expansion of the 
                     Universe is speeding up

Wednesday, Jan. 15 Relics of the Early Universe           section 28.4

                   Relic Elements: D,He
                     Nuclear Reactions
                     Primordial Nucleosynthesis
                   Relic Radiation (Cosmic Microwave Background)

                   Homework #1, due NOW
                   Homework #2, due Wednesday Jan 22

Monday, Jan. 20    Models of the Universe
                   Big Bang                               section 28.4
                     Early model: steady state
                   Tests of the Theories                  sections 28.4

Wednesday, Jan. 22 Problems with Big Bang - Inflation     section 28.5
                   Fate of the Universe                   section 28.3

                    Homework #2, due NOW
                    Homework #3, due Wednesday Jan 29

Monday, Jan. 27    Formation of Galaxies & Clusters of Galaxies
Chapter 27

Wednesday, Jan. 29 Galaxies                               Chapters 24-27
                   The Milky Way - our galaxy             chapter 24
                       History of its Discovery           
                       Form and Structure (Morphology)
                         Components:  Disk, Spheroid,     
                           Spiral Arms                    section 24.2
                           Nucleus                        section 24.5
                         Stellar Populations              section 24.3
                    Active Galactic Nuclei                chapter 26
                    Evolution of Galaxies                 chapter 27

                    Homework #3, due NOW
                    Quiz 1: (Warm-up for Exam 1)   
                    Sections 2.3, 4.1-2, 4.6, 23.1-3, Chapters 24-28

Monday, Feb 3       Review Sections 2.3, 4.1-2, 4.6, 23.1-3, Chapters 24-28

Wednesday,  Feb 5   Mid Term Exam #1, Unit I: The Universe
                    Sections 2.3, 4.1-2, 4.6, 23.1-3, Chapters 24-28

1. Describe the relationship between type of light, wavelength, energy of photon and temperature of the source of the light. Describe and apply the Doppler effect.
2. Describe and apply the concepts of expansion of the universe, Hubble law, lookback time, Cosmic Microwave Background radiation, primordial nucleosynthesis, and inflation.
3. Explain the observations leading to the concepts of the expansion of the universe, the Hubble Constant, and the Big Bang Model.
4. Explain how the distances to other galaxies are determined.
5. Describe the relation between matter (mass), distance and gravity (Newton's law of gravity).
6. Describe the sequence of events in the Big Bang Model of the evolution of the Universe, and the possible fates of the Universe.
7. Describe the cosmic microwave background radiation and primordial nucleosynthesis and their use to test the Big Bang Model.
8. Describe the problems of the Big Bang model and how inflation solves them.
9. Describe the large-scale structure of the Universe.
10. Explain how galaxies and clusters of galaxies evolve.
11. Describe the properties of elliptical and spiral galaxies
12. Describe the Black Hole Model for active galactic nuclei and quasars.
13. Describe and sketch the Milky Way galaxy, including the halo, disk and nucleus. Label the location of the Sun, gas, dust, globular clusters, open clusters, young and old stars.