Introduction to Astronomy and Space Science

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Understand the methods and biases of exoplanet detection
• Know the essentials of astronomical observation (including Rayleigh criterion)
• Understand solar irradiation of planets
• Understand how the masses and velocities of various astronomical objects can be measured
• Know about the expansion of the Universe and how observations can lead to the determination of its age, mass and future evolution
• Know AGN/galaxy phenomenology
• Know about the large scale structure of the universe and how dark matter can be detected
• Know the essentials of spectroscopy and blackbody emission (including Wein’s law)
• Know and understand the differences between the planets and bodies in the solar system and how these connect to planet formation theory
• Know about the evolution of stars over time from formation to supernova and the compact objects left behind
• Know the essentials of astronomical measurements of brightness (flux) and distance
• Know about how energy is produced within the Sun, and the Sun’s different internal regions

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Be able to apply the equations of motion to determine masses (Kepler’s third law).
• Be able to work in logarithmic units (magnitude scales)
• Be able to apply equations to determine the distance to a variety of astronomical objects.

Solar system:

• the properties of the planets and moons
• solar system physics including formation
• comets and asteroids

Exoplanets:

• classification
• detection methods
• state-of-the-art

Stars:

• The Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram; H-R diagrams of star clusters; classification of stars from their position in the H-R diagram
• The dependence of stellar properties and timescales on mass
• The determination of the ages of clusters
• Physical conditions within stars
• Nuclear fusion
• Stellar evolution
• Core-collapse supernovae
• White dwarfs, neutron stars and black-holes

Galaxies:

• Classification of galaxies by their appearance
• Galaxy interactions
• The Milky Way
• Active galaxies
• Radio jets

Cosmology:

• The expansion of the Universe
• The Cosmic Microwave Background
• The Big Bang model
• Measurement of the age and mass and the future evolution of the Universe

Teaching will be primarily by delivered lectures, and learning is enhanced by problem sheets.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.