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 how the elements are formed inside stars
• Know about the expansion of the Universe and how observations can lead to the determination of its age, mass and future evolution
• Understand how the distances, sizes and masses of astrophysical objects can be measured
• Know the essentials of astronomical measurements of brightness and velocities

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Have an appreciation of the relative distances, sizes and masses of the various objects in the Universe

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 and learning methods

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

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Chaisson & McMillan. Astronomy Today - Global Edition. Pearson.

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.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External