ASTR 1250 - Astronomy II: Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology

1. Describe the basic celestial motions of the planets, sun, and moon.
2. Discuss the historical development of ideas concerning the solar system’s place in the larger universe and the nature of various deep sky objects from the Enlightenment period to modern times.
3. Compare the various techniques used to measure the distances to celestial objects.
4. Apply fundamental physics to the study of stars, galaxies, and cosmology.
5. Explain the differences and similarities in observing the universe at radio, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths.
6. Discuss the nature of thermonuclear reactions in the core of the Sun and stars.
7. Discuss the layers of the Sun’s atmosphere and the phenomenon associated with each.
8. Explain how the motions, temperatures, radii, and masses of stars are determined.
9. Discuss the nature of the interstellar medium and its role in the formation of stars.
10. Defend the theories regarding the evolution of stars of various masses and their ultimate fates.
11. Interpret a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.
12. Justify the modern view of the Milky Way Galaxy’s structure.
13. Explain the origin and evolution of the various galactic structures.
14. Discuss the significance of the Hubble Law and the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation.
15. Justify the Big Bang theory.
16. Discuss the various theories regarding the future of the universe.