Physics 103: General Astronomy

Fall lecture notes


All notes in Microsoft Powerpoint format.

Readings from "Stars, Galaxies & Cosmology" by Bennett are denoted by "B" and the chapter number.

Readings from "Universe down to Earth" by Tyson denoted by "Ty" and the chapter number.


Class Date Reading Due Lecture Notes last updated
Sept 9, 2002 Intro Astrology Sept 9, 2002
Sept 11, 2002 Ty2, Ty12 Scientific Method Sept 9, 2002
Sept 16, 2002 Ty7, B6.1-6.3, B7.1-7.5 Light and Telescopes Sept 13, 2002
Sept 18, 2002 Ty8, B6.4-6.5 Light and Temperature Sept 14, 2002
Sept 19, 2002 B6.4-6.5 Spectral Lines Sept 20, 2002
Sept 23, 2002 B14 The Sun Sept 20, 2002
Sept 25, 2002 various articles Exoplanets Sept 23, 2002
Oct 7, 2002 B15.1-15.5, Ty9 Stars Oct 7, 2002
Oct 9, 2002 B15.6, B16.1-16.2, Ty10 Star Formation Oct 7, 2002
Oct 16, 2002 B16.3-16.5, B17.1-17.3 Stellar Evolution Oct 10, 2002
Oct 21, 2002 B17.3-17.4 Black Holes and Neutron Stars Oct 18, 2002
Oct 23, 2002 various websites Black Holes and General Relativity Oct 21, 2002
Nov 4, 2002 B18 The Milky Way Nov 4, 2002
Nov 6, 2002 B19.1-19.3 Galaxies Nov 4, 2002
Nov 11, 2002 B21.1-21.4 Dark Matter Nov 9, 2002
Nov 13, 2002 B19.4,B21.5-21.6 The Big Bang Nov 12, 2002
Nov 18, 2002 B22 The Big Bang Evidence Nov 15, 2002
Dec 2, 2002 Bennett S5.1-5.2, S2.6 Interstellar Travel Nov 26, 2002
Dec 4, 2002 Bennett S5 SETI Dec, 2, 2002