Offering Information
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Course Team
Carolyn Brown
Duncan Wright
Summary
PHY1107 Astronomy 2 provides an introduction to the Sun, the stars, and the galaxies. It is an appropriate elective for students of physics & astronomy, biology, chemistry, climatology, education and other disciplines. The course provides broad scientific understanding of our origins, our place in the universe, and our future, and… For more content click the Read More button below.
SynopsisThe astronomy course is about the Sun, the stars and galaxies, and includes cosmology, the study of the universe as a whole, and astrobiology, the study of life in the universe. The course begins with the Sun, our local typical star, and moves onto a survey of the stars of the night sky. The course then discusses how stars form, evolve, die and end up as stellar remnants. Our Milky Way galaxy is then introduced, as a prelude to a survey of other galaxies. Following this, the universe on the grandest scale is examined, from its origins in the Big Bang, to its future as an expanding, accelerating cosmos. Finally, we take a look at life on Earth, and how life and intelligence could arise elsewhere. Access to Mt Kent Observatory data is provided as part of this course, so that students can observe "deep sky" objects beyond our solar system. This course follows on from PHY1101 Astronomy 1 (which focuses on planetary science), but may be taken independently.
Offerings
Semester 2
OL-TWMBA-SEM2
ON-TWMBA-SEM2
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, graduates will be able to:
1.
describe our Sun's structure, energy source and activity;
2.
compare the Sun with other stars;
3.
summarise the process of star formation;
4.
discuss how stellar mass determines how a star evolves;
5.
describe the stellar remnants known as white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes;
6.
describe the structure of the Milky Way galaxy and our location within it;
7.
compare our Milky Way galaxy with other galaxies;
8.
discuss how galaxies form, interact and evolve over time;
9.
describe the key cosmological concepts of the Big Bang, dark matter, and dark energy;
10.
explain how scientists are searching for life beyond the Earth;
Topics
The Sun (10%)
The Stars (10%)
Star Formation (10%)
Stellar Evolution (10%)
Stellar Remnants (10%)
The Milky Way (10%)
Galaxies (10%)
Galaxy Evolution (10%)
Cosmology (10%)
Astrobiology (10%)
Assessments
Assessment due dates (as listed in Week Due) are indicative until finalised by the end of Week 1 for each Study Period (Offering). After Week 1, Assessment due dates may change with the approval of the Dean (Academic) or Delegate in limited circumstances. All Assessment due date changes approved after Week 1 will be communicated to students accordingly via Handbook and StudyDesk.