9.0 SCHOOL OF PHYSICS
9.1 MINOR ASTRONOMY
OBJECTIVE
1. To provide a gentle and general introduction to the wide area of astronomy;
2. To provide a historical perspective of astronomy and trace its path to modern
astronomy, crossing different civilizations; and
3. To provide hands-on experience of handling and assembling astronomical instruments
and making observations.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Students wishing to minor in astronomy must pass the following astronomy courses:
Prerequisite
ZCE 275/4
-
ZGE 277/4 ZAE 376/4 (S) ZGE 277/4
ZKE 378/4 (S) ZAE 376/4
Introduction to Astronomy
Structure of the Universe
Astronomy Principles and Practices
Introduction to Radio Astronomy
SEQUENCE OF COURSES OFFERED
(i) Minor Astronomy (16 units)
Semester
ZGE 277/4
-
Structure of the Universe
I
ZCE 275/4
-
Introduction to Astronomy
II
ZAE 376/4
-
Astronomy Principles and Practices
I
ZKE 378/4
-
Introduction to Radio Astronomy
II
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SYNOPSIS
ZCE 275/4 Introduction to Astronomy
Celestial mechanic. Measurement of time. The Sun and solar system. Structure of the
Universe. Astronomical Instrumentation. Other astronomy. Practical.
Celestial sphere, celestial coordinate system, celestial mechanic, ephemeredes, star
charts. Time and its measurements, calendrical system. Optical telescopes, mounting,
tracking telescope. The Sun and its associated motion, structure of the Sun, its influence
on the Earth. The solar system, eclipses. Structure of the universe, stars stellar evolution,
H-R diagram, white dwarfs, pulsars, black holes. Galaxy, the Milky Way, evolution,
active galaxies, cosmology. Other astronomy – radio, IR, UV, x-ray and gamma ray
astronomy.
Understand, handle and observe through optical telescopes. Recognizing stars and
constellations. Observe and record celestial objects. Solar observation using filters.
Build a simple telescope. Young crescent moon
observation. Astrophotography, Image processing. Sky simulation and calculate
locations of celestial objects and others.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
 define, interpret, explore and explain the basic foundations of astronomy.
 recogize, assemble and manipulate astronomical instruments.
 recognize and elaborate on the physical objects in the universe and relate them
with physical theories.
Ref. Books :
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Ostlie, D.A. & Carroll B.W., An Introduction to Modern
Astrophysics, Addison Wesley, 1996.
Chaisson, E. & McMilan, S., Astronomy Today, 4th
Edition, Prentice Hall, 2002.
Roy, A.E. & Clarke, D., Astronomy: Structure of the
Universe, Adam Hilger, 1989.
Roy, A.E., & Clarke, D., Astronomy: Principles and
Practices, Adam Hilger, 1988.
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ZGE 277/4 Structure of the Universe
Size of the Universe. Electromagnetic waves as carriers of information. Understanding
the Solar System. Stars and the H-R diagram. Stellar evolution. Galaxies. Cosmology.
Probability of extraterrestrial lifeforms.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to :
 understand, evaluate and appreciate the structure and beauty of the universe.
 relate the components that make up the universe.
 trace and determine the physical processes operating within it.
Ref. Books :
(a)
(b)
(c)
Astronomy : A Beginner’s Guide to the Universe (2006),
Chaisson, E., McMillan, S.
Astronomy : Structure of the Universe (1989, 3rd edition)
Roy, A.E., Clarke, D.
The Astronomy Encyclopaedia (2002), Gen. Ed. Moore, P.,
Phillips (an Octupus Publ Grp)
ZAE 376/4 Astronomy Principles and Practices
The universe at a glance. Spherical trigonometry. Celestial sphere. Celestial coordinate
system. Reckoning time. Calendrical systems. Celestial mechanics. Astrometry.
Radiation laws. Observation and measurement system.
Prerequisite: (S) ZGE 277/4 Structure of the Universe
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
 know and understand principles of measurements in astronomy.
 use, detail and illustrate a few main astronomical instruments.
 understand how astronomical measurements are made and able to perform
simple astronomical calculations.
Ref. Books :
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Astronomy : Principles and Practices (2003) Roy, A.E.,
Clarke, D.
A Introduction to Modern Astrophysics (1996), Carroll, B.
W., Ostlie, D.A.
Textbook on Spherical Astronomy (1977), Smart, W.M.
Fundamentals of celestial Mechanics (1988) Danby, J.M.A.,
Willmann - Bell
128
(e)
Solving Kepler’s Equation Over Three Centuries (1998)
Colwell, P., Willmann - Bell.
ZKE 378/4 Introduction to Radio Astronomy
History of radio astronomy. The radio universe. Cosmic microwave background (CMB).
Radio telescopes. Radio interferometry. Image systhesis. Active radio stars. Active
radio galaxies.
Prerequisite: (S) ZAE 376/4 Astronomy Principles and Practices
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
 understand and affirm the principles of radio astronomy.
 recognize and elaborate receiving and data processing instruments.
 recognize and appreciate the contributions of radio astronomy to knowledge.
 relate radio data with physical processes in the region.
Ref. Books :
(a)
(b)
(c)
Radio Astronomy (1966), Kraus, J.D.
Radio Astronomy Projects (2003), Lonc, W., Radio - Sky
Publishing
Interferometry and Synthesis in Radio Astronomy (2001, 2nd
edition), Thompson, R., Moran, J, Swenson, G., Krieger
Publ.
129