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.

Various articles by Carl Sagan will be provided and are denoted by "Sg" and the article number.


Class Date Reading Due Lecture Notes last updated
Sept 6, 2004 Intro Sept 3
Sept 8 Ty2 The Scientific Method Sept 3
Sept 10 Ty12, Sg1 Astrology Sept 3
Sept 15 Sg2,B5.3 Kepler's Laws Sept 13
Sept 17 Ty7, Ty8, B6.1-6.3 Light and Temperature Sept 16
Sept 20 B6.4-6.5 Spectral Lines Sept 19
Sept 22 B15 The Sun Sept 21
Sept 24 various articles Exoplanets Sept 23
Oct 6 B16.1-16.5, Ty9 Stars Oct 5
Oct 8 B16.1-16.5, Ty9 HR Diagram Oct 8
Oct 13 B17.1-17.2 Star Formation Oct 12
Oct 18 B17.3-17.5, B18.1-18.3 Stellar Evolution Oct 18
Oct 20 B18.3-18.5 Black Holes and Neutron Stars Oct 19
Oct 22 none Black Holes and General Relativity Oct 22
Nov 3 B19 The Milky Way Nov 2
Nov 5 B20.1-20.3 Galaxies Nov 5
Nov 8 B22.1-22.4 Dark Matter Nov 8
Nov 12 B23 The Big Bang Evidence Nov 12
Nov 14 B23 The Big Bang Evidence Nov 14
Dec 1 Three MER articles Mars Rovers Dec 1
Dec 2 B24.3-24.6 SETI Dec 2
Dec 8 Bennett S2 Interstellar Travel Dec 8