Ast207, the Science of Astronomy, is based on the premise that learning a science is done better by an in-depth study of a few topics rather than a brief brush with many.

Classes	MWF 3:00-3:50, 1415 BMPS Bldg.
Instructor	Mr. Ed Loh, 1219 BMPS, 355-9200 x2480, Loh@msu.edu
Office hours	MF 2:00-2:55, W 12:15–1:15, 1219 BMPS.
Grader	Jon Cook
Textbook	Cosmic Perspective, 3^rd ed., Bennett, Donahue, Schneider, & Voit, 2004.
Web	www.pa.msu.edu/courses/2005fall/AST207

	Calendar				Topic & Reading
	29			Aug	Overview. Learning science. Example with 51 Pegasi.
1543—The Copernican Revolution
		31			Erathosthenes' measurement of the diameter of the earth. p. 65
			2	Sep	Daily and annual motions of the sky. §2, §S1
		7			Measuring the relative size of the orbit of Venus and Mars.
			9	H1	Tycho Brahe maps the sky. Kepler studies Mars' motion. §3
	12	14			Kepler’s Laws of planetary motion. Newton’s laws of motion & gravity §3
			16	H2	Galileo invents the telescope. (handout)
	19	21		H3	How big is the solar system? Parallax of Mars and Venus. pp. 524–525.
			23		Preparation for test.
	26				Test
1838—Size of the solar system & Distances to the Nearest Stars
		28		H4	How far are the nearest stars? Bessell, Henderson, & Struve.
			30		Model of the universe of 1850. Hertzsprung Russell Diagram. §16.5
	3			Oct	Simple model of stars. pp. 161–163, §16
		5		H5	Adam’s discovery of a white dwarf
			7		Lifetime of stars §17
	10	12			Nuclear fusion powers the stars. §15.3, §17
			14		Midterm exam.
1929—Expansion of the Universe
	17				Hubble's paper of 1929: discovery of the expansion of the universe. §20.3–4
		19			Where do the elements come from?
			21	H6	Models of the Big Bang. The universe has beginning and possibly an end. Measuring velocities: Doppler effect. §6.5
1965—Radiation from the Big Bang
	24				Discovery of the cosmic background radiation. (pp. 707–709)
		26	28	H7	The hot Big Bang. (Ch. 23)
	31	2	4	Nov	The universe at 3 minutes: the formation of helium. (pp. 709–711)
Unsolved problem: What is the universe made of?
	7	9	11	H8	Weighing the earth by timing fall of a ball. Weighing galaxies. Dark matter. (Ch. 22)
	14
		16	18	H9	Weighing the universe by timing the expansion of the universe.
	21				Third test
		23			The SOAR telescope.
	28	30	2	H10	Timing with supernovae. Discovery of matter with a repulsive force. (§22.6)
	5	7		Dec	WMAP satellite: Measuring a fossil imprinted on the cosmic radiation. (pp.715–717)
			9		Review
					Final exam, Thurs., the 15^th, 3:00-5:00.

This term, Ast207 will focus on cosmology, the study of the structure and content of the universe on the largest scales. We will examine and interpret the evidence for the key discoveries in cosmology. Four epochal discoveries will be our focus for the first part: the Copernican revolution, the measurement of the distances to the nearest stars, Hubble's discovery of the expansion of the universe, and the discovery of the radiation from the Big Bang. For the remainder of the course we will examine topics of current interest in cosmology.

Doing science is a social and cooperative venture. Find a 207 pal with whom you can work on Ast207. If you get stuck, your 207 pal may help. If you think you understand a concept, explain it to your 207 pal to see if he/she thinks your explanation is sensible and clear. Difficult concepts become clear with discussion.

You may work together on your homework assignments, but you must hand in your own solutions. Late homework may be handed in up until the time the graded papers are returned.

The course grade will be based on in-class exercises (9%), homework (25%), first test (5%), midterm (15%), third test (15%) and final exam (31%). Your lowest homework score and your lowest exercise score will be dropped.

We will have an evening observing session on Monday and Tuesday, 10 & 11 October. It will be rescheduled if the weather is bad on those dates. The Physics-Astronomy Department and Abrams Planetarium also offer public observing at the MSU Observatory (at College Rd. & Farm Lane) from 9:00–11:00 on Sep. 9 & 10, Oct. 7 & 8, and Nov. 4 & 5. (See www.pa.msu.edu/abrams/Programs/PublicObserving.html)

A lunar eclipse will occur early on the morning of October 17. See http://www.eclipse.org.uk/

For other skywatcher’s information, see the web site for Abrams’ Planetarium www.pa.msu.edu/abrams .