PCS Nov – Dec 2015

ASTROPHYSICS

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

Week 1 The students are introduced to the subject of astronomy, its scope, its methods and its purposes. The way in which astronomical knowledge cultivates a sense of one’s place in the universe is elaborated
by surveying in a comparative fashion the Earth-Moon-Sun system, each taken as representing three key categories of astronomical objects – planets, satellites and stars. Planet Earth are described with
the aim of demonstrating its unique suitability for life and as a platform from which mankind observes and explores the universe. The mathematical tools necessary to aid one’s orientation in navigating the
sky are also introduced.
Pre-test & ice-breaking Sizes and distances in space The Earth as a planet that supports The Moon as Earth’s satellite – its The Sun as our nearest star
life – its unique properties unique properties
Introduction: What is astronomy? Who Introduction to trigonometry Celestial coordinates Lunar influences on Earth – lunar Solar influences on Earth seasons,
are the astronomers? phases, timekeeping eclipses, space weather

Activity: Activity: Activity: Activity: Activity:

How high up is space? The method of parallax Using a celestial sphere, star chart Measuring the depth of lunar craters Solar observation sketching the solar
Constructing a sundial The cosmic calendar and planisphere Debate on “Should we settle on the disk and sunspots
Moon?” Estimating the solar rotation

Week 2 The students are introduced to two fundamental physical concepts and principles that govern astronomical phenomena: (a) light and radiation, and (b) gravitation. Both conceptual (qualitative) and
mathematical (quantitative) treatments will be adopted with the aim of demonstrating the power of physico-matematheical thought in providing an account of astronomical phenomena that is both rationally
and aesthetically compelling. The explanation of physical theories, concepts and formulas will be supplemented with relevant examples of astronomical phenomena that are often presented separately in
traditional accounts of astronomy and astrophysics, therefore emphasizing the integrative nature of physics and mathematics.
The nature of light The propagation of light The interaction of light with matter The kinematics of angular motion The dynamics of angular motion
Characteristics of a wave – amplitude, Optical phenomena – reflection, Atmospheric window Rotation versus revolution Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
wavelength, frequency, energy, refraction, scattering, diffraction, Blackbody radiation Uniform circular motion – gravity as an instantaneous force
intensity dispersion, polarization, Doppler Angular momentum
effect
Inverse square law

Light as an electromagnetic wave The perception of light Atomic spectra and its applications Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion Einsteinian gravitation – gravity as
Electromagnetic spectrum Human eye, camera, telescope and its applications property of space time
Magnification, resolution, brightness

Activity: Activity: Activity: Activity: Activity:

Diffraction from a single hair Constructing an astronomical Visual photometry Extrasolar planet light curves Pendulums: simple, physical, torsional
(Babinet’s principle) telescope Spectrohelioscope Galactic velocity curves
Polarization of light (Malus’s law) Digital image processing
Week 3 The students are introduced to the final fundamental physical concepts and principles that govern astronomical phenomena: (c) nuclear and particle physics. The fact that microscopic laws can be used to
explain large-scale and macroscopic phenomena will be highlighted, again with the aim of demonstrating the universal character of physical laws. That astrophysics enabled mankind to peer into the heart
of visible astronomical objects such as a star, as well as illuminate the influences of unseen components of the cosmos, thereby impacting how we perceive our own destinies, conclude this course.
The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram Stellar and big bang nucleosynthesis
Standard model of particle physics

PRACTICAL OBSERVATION IN PRACTICAL OBSERVATION IN Stellar nuclear fusion Post-test PARENT CONFERENCE
MERSING MERSING Stellar evolution – low mass, high
mass stars

Activity: Conclusion:
The age of stellar clusters Life, universe and everything