ASTRONOMY 101 - Modern Cosmology
Spring Quarter 2005
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Office: Dearborn
Observatory #6
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Phone: 491-4516
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Email: davemeyer@northwestern.edu
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Office Hours: MW 12:00 - 2:00 PM
Office: Dearborn
Observatory #B8
Phone: 491-8643
Email: d-lin@northwestern.edu
Office Hours: T 12:30 - 2:30 PM
Lectures: MWF at 11:00 - 11:50 AM in Tech LR3
MID-TERM EXAM: Friday,
April 29, 2005 at 11 AM in Tech LR3 (1 hour)
PAPER DUE: Friday,
May 20, 2005 at 11 AM in Tech LR3
FINAL EXAM: Monday,
June 6, 2005 at 9 AM in Tech LR3 (2 hours)
Grading Policy
The course grade will be based on the final (45%) and mid-term (25%) exams,
the paper (20%), and two "pop" quizzes (10%). The pop quizzes will
be given without warning twice in lecture during the quarter. There
will be no make-up quizzes. Since only the highest quiz grade will
be counted, missing one will not hurt your grade. The exams will
consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. The
instructor will schedule review sessions before each exam. In the
case of missed exams, make-ups will only be considered under the direst
of circumstances and will consist of an oral test.
The Paper
In this course, we will discuss exciting new developments in cosmology.
The public obtains this information through newspaper and magazine articles.
As an Astro 101 student, you will be in a position to make informed judgments
as to the accuracy and reliability of such articles. Your assignment
is to find a recent (within the past 6 months) article reporting a new
cosmology discovery in a reputable (no tabloids!) publication and critique
it. The article you choose should be longer than several paragraphs.
In your paper, you will provide some background on the cosmology covered
in the article, discuss the importance of this new development, and most
importantly, evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the article based
on what you have learned in this course. Papers that exhibit the
most original thinking and creativity in expression will be viewed most
favorably. The finished product should be 4 to 6 double-spaced typewritten
pages long and include a xerox copy of the article reviewed. No papers
will be accepted after the deadline on May 20, 2005 at 11 AM.
Observing Sessions
There will be evening observing sessions every Monday night throughout
the quarter utilizing the historic 18.5-inch telescope in the Dearborn
Observatory. If the weather cooperates, you will have an opportunity
to view the Moon, planets, nebulae, etc. If not, the TA on duty will
give you an entertaining tour of Dearborn. Either way, you will be
exposed to interesting information not easily discussed in a lecture setting.
Attending at least one of these sessions during the quarter is strongly
encouraged and will be of help on the final exam. Since we can accommodate
only a limited number of students per session, a prior sign-up will be
in effect after lecture each Monday for that night's observing. DON'T
WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE QUARTER. The instructor will inform you
where and when to meet for the sessions.
Course Outline
The Universe of Light (March 29, 30, April 1)
Stars and Galaxies (April 4, 6, 8)
Read pp. 3-25, 41-46, 61-73
The Quest for Hubble's Constant (April 11, 13, 15, 18)
The Large-Scale Cosmic Structure (April 20, 22)
Read pp. 169-185, 189-198
Einstein's Universe (April 25, 27)
REVIEW SESSION: Thursday, April
28, 2005 at 7 PM in Tech LR3
MID-TERM EXAM: Friday, April
29, 2005 at 11 AM in Tech LR3
Einstein's Universe (cont.) (May 2, 4)
The Cosmic Background Radiation (May 6, 9, 11)
Read pp. 255-267, 294-299, 328-336
The Early Universe (May 13, 16, 18)
Read pp. 268-294, 336-342
PAPER DUE: Friday, May 20, 2005
at 11 AM in Tech LR3
The Dark Side of Creation (May 20, 23, 25)
Read pp. 315-327, 345-367
REVIEW SESSION: Friday, June
3, 2005 at 11 AM in Tech LR3
FINAL EXAM: Monday, June
6, 2005 at 9 AM in Tech LR3