This module serves as an introduction to cosmology, detailing its historical development as a scientific discipline. It discusses the significance of dark energy and dark matter, the discovery of spiral nebulae, and the implications of Hubble's redshift for understanding the universe's expansion and the Big Bang theory.
This introductory module sets the stage for the course, outlining the topics of exoplanets, black holes, and cosmology. It reflects on the history of astronomy and introduces key figures such as Ptolemy, Galileo, and Newton, emphasizing their contributions. Students gain an understanding of the course requirements while engaging in discussions about planetary orbits.
This module focuses on the concept of exoplanets, exploring how astronomers detect these distant worlds. The challenges of detecting exoplanets are examined, and essential physics equations are introduced. Students work through problems, familiarizing themselves with calculations involving planetary masses and distances. This module builds a foundational understanding of the methodologies used in contemporary astronomy.
In this module, students review previous problem sets while applying Newton's Third Law to the discovery of exoplanets. An overview of our Solar System is presented, highlighting the unique features of each planet. The module also discusses the categorization of celestial objects and delves into the ongoing debate regarding Pluto's status as a planet.
This module introduces the formation of planets, focusing on the differences between celestial bodies in the Inner and Outer Solar System. It discusses how the characteristics of our Solar System can inform predictions about other star systems. Key concepts such as momentum equations and the Doppler shift are explained, illustrating their application in the search for exoplanets.
In this module, Professor Bailyn discusses student reflections on a paper about the Pluto controversy, questioning whether it's a scientific debate. The class examines various scientific "fables" and their morals, such as the discovery of 51 Peg b and the disproof of pulsation as an explanation for velocity curves, emphasizing the interplay between culture and science in astronomy.
This module covers the concept of transits, detailing how these events allow astronomers to discover new planets. The discussion includes how the blockage of starlight can reveal crucial data about both the star and its planet. The module also explains planetary migration and its implications for our understanding of the Solar System's dynamics.
This module delves into direct imaging techniques used to observe exoplanets. Students learn how to derive star characteristics from transit data and apply the Doppler shift to estimate star masses. The astrometry method is introduced for precise positioning of stars, rounding off with a summary of the various methods utilized in exoplanet identification, along with upcoming space missions.
This module marks the transition to the study of black holes, defining their nature and how they are detected. Professor Bailyn explains the necessity of Einstein's Theory of Relativity in understanding black holes, introducing concepts such as escape and circular velocity. Students engage with mathematical problems related to calculating escape velocities and reviewing the historical context of black hole discoveries.
Continuing the exploration of black holes, this module introduces the event horizon concept and works through mathematical problems associated with it. Students engage in a discussion about the more enigmatic aspects of black holes, such as time travel possibilities. The reconciliation of Newtonian physics with relativity is also addressed, emphasizing the evolution of our understanding of gravity and motion.
This module focuses on testing the principles of relativity, starting with post-Newtonian approximations. Students work on problems related to mass, force, and energy. The session covers how space and time are affected by velocities approaching the speed of light, culminating in discussions about the possibility of faster-than-light travel, illustrated through the example of muons.
This module provides a comprehensive overview of the historical context surrounding Einstein's theories. It discusses the synchronization of clocks at the turn of the 19th century and Einstein's influential 1905 papers. The module transitions into General Relativity, demonstrating how it incorporates Newton's laws and introducing visual aids to illustrate space-time curvature caused by mass.
This module continues the exploration of stellar mass black holes, introducing key concepts in Special Relativity. The discussion includes mathematical descriptions of events in space-time coordinates and reviews of significant evidence supporting General Relativity. The module also introduces stellar mass black holes and their effects on the surrounding space-time fabric.
In this continuation of the previous module, students refine their understanding of gravitational effects such as perihelion precession, light deflection, and gravitational redshift. The module discusses gravitational waves and provides a historical context for the 1919 eclipse expedition that confirmed Einstein's predictions, enhancing students' understanding of the implications of these relativistic effects.
This module begins with a summary of the post-Newtonian effects and transitions into gravitational lensing as predicted by Einstein's theories. The class learns about the observational opportunities presented by gravitational lenses and discusses the significance of pulsars, highlighting the contributions of Jocelyn Bell to their discovery.
In this module, students engage in a question-and-answer session about black holes, discussing their existence in galaxies and methods for observing them. The module introduces strong-field relativity and the predictions regarding black holes, focusing on X-ray binary star systems to estimate compact object masses.
This module serves as an introduction to cosmology, detailing its historical development as a scientific discipline. It discusses the significance of dark energy and dark matter, the discovery of spiral nebulae, and the implications of Hubble's redshift for understanding the universe's expansion and the Big Bang theory.
This module continues the discussion on Hubble's Law and its implications for the age and fate of the universe. Students engage with Hubble's Constant and the methods used to measure astronomical distances, including parallax and standard candle techniques. The module concludes with a review of logarithmic scales related to these measurements.
This module revisits the subject of the universe's expansion and presents alternative theories to the Big Bang, including the Steady State theory. The discussion highlights the significance of quasars in refuting Steady State and illustrates how observing distant objects provides insight into the universe's past and future.
This module discusses the concept of Omega and its role in determining the fate of the universe. The interplay between gravity and expansion is examined, along with methods for calculating universal density. The module also addresses dark matter and its hypotheses, focusing on WIMPs and MACHOs as potential constituents of the universe.
This module introduces the scale factor in cosmology and discusses its relevance to dark energy. Students learn about cosmological redshifts and the discovery of dark energy as a repulsive force affecting the universe's expansion. The module concludes by addressing Einstein's cosmological constant and its historical significance.
This module discusses the implications of dark energy and its impact on the universe's acceleration, introducing the Big Rip theory as a potential fate for the universe. The module presents observational data from supernovae and engages students in discussions about the mysterious nature of dark energy.
This module reviews the expansion of the universe based on observations of supernovae and galaxies, addressing the balance between dark energy and dark matter. It discusses the transition point in the universe's expansion rate and highlights current projects aimed at detecting high-redshift supernovae.
This module introduces reasons for cosmic expansion, focusing on the evidence supporting dark energy through supernovae observations. It also discusses the Cosmic Microwave Background as a supporting factor for the Big Bang theory, alongside large-scale clustering efforts to understand dark energy and dark matter.
This concluding module examines ideas about the multiverse and theories of everything, addressing the Anthropomorphic Principle and the implications for complexity in the universe. It ends with a discussion on the distinctions between scientific and philosophical inquiries in understanding the cosmos.