PHYSICS 321, ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS II
COURSE OUTLINE (SPRING 2001)

Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics
Text for the course

Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics - 
4th Edition

by 
Zeilek & Gregory

Time: M, W 1:00-2:25pm
Room: University 106
Prof. Dale E. Gary
Office: Tiernan 403
Office Hours: W 10:00-11:30 am
Phone: (973) 642-7878
e-mail: dgary@njit.edu
Course Web Page: http://web.njit.edu/~dgary/321

  • Readings: The reading assignments are listed below. Complete the readings before the corresponding lectures.
  • Homework: I will collect the homework assignments on each Monday.
  • Exams: There will be three in-class exams during the semester, and the final exam.
  • Grades: Your grade will be based on your homework (20%), in-class exams (30%), attendance and class participation (20%), and final exam (30%).
  • Observing Sessions: At least two optional observing sessions will be held at Rutgers-Newark's Boyden Observatory.
  • Lecture Number and Title
    Reading Assignment
    Homework Assignment
    Lecture 1 (W 01/17).Stars: Distances and Magnitudes Chapter 11 
    Sections 3.1-3.2, 3.6
    Due 01/22: Ch 11, 3, 8, 10, 11
    Special Planetarium Visit (M 01/22). The Wonder of Astronomy, Positions on the Celestial Sphere None Due 01/29: HW#2, 1, 2, 3
    Lecture 3 (W 01/24, M 01/29). Blackbody Radiation and Quantization of Energy Chapter 8, Section 8.6, 
    Chapter 11, Section 11.4
    Due 01/05: HW #3: 1, 2, 3, 4
    Lecture 4 (W 01/31). Interaction of Light and Matter Chapter 8 
    Sections 8.1-8.2
    Due 02/05: Chapter 5: 5.10, 5.14, 5.15 & plotting exercise
    Lecture 5 (M 02/05). Classification of Spectra Boltzmann and Saha Equations. Chapter 8, Section 8.2-8.4
    Chapter 13, Section 13.2
    Due 02/12: Chapter 8: 8.1, 8.5
    Lecture 6 (W 02/07). Hertzsprung-Russell Diagrams and Structure of Spectral Lines
    HR Diagram of stars within 25 pc
    Chapter 8, Section 8.5
    Chapter 13, Section13.3
    Chapter 8/9: 8.15, 8.16, 9.27
    Lecture 7 (M 02/12) Test on Light, Atoms, and Spectra Stellar Interiors--I Chapter 16
    Section 16.1 
    Hand-out #4: 1, 2
    Lecture 8 (W 02/14, M 02/19) Stellar Interiors--II  Chapter 16
    Sections 16.1-16.2
    Chapter 10: 10.12 and 
    Hand-out #5: 1, 2
    Lecture 9 (W 02/21, M 02/26) The Sun Chapter 10 
    Sections 10.1-10.4
    Hand-out #6: 1, 2
    Lecture 10 (W 02/28)Solar Activity, Interpl. Space, solar/terrestrial effects, heliosphere Chapter 10 
    Sections 10.5-10.6
    Hand-out #7: 1, 2, 3
    Lecture 11 (M 03/05, W 03/08) Interstellar Medium and Formation of Protostars Chapter 15
    Sections 15.1-15.3
    Hand-out #8: 1, 2, 3, 4

    Spring Break
     
    Lecture Number and Title  Reading Assignment  Homework Assignment 
    Lecture 12 (M 03/19, W 03/21)  Stellar Evolution Chapter 16 
    Sections 16.3-16.4
    Hand-out #9: 1, 2, 3, 4
    Lecture 13 (M 03/26) Test on Stellar Interiors and Stellar Evolution  White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars and Pulsars Chapter 17 
    Sections 17.1-17.2
    Hand-out #10: 1, 2, 3, 4
    Lecture 14 (W 03/28) Black Holes Chapter 17 
    Section 17.3
    Hand-out #11: 1, 2
    Lecture 15 (M 04/02) Stellar Pulsation Chapter 18 
    Sections 18.1-18.4
    Hand-out #12: 1, 2
    Lecture 16 (W 04/04) Close Binary Star Systems Chapter 18
    Sections 18.5-18.6
    Chapter 17: 2, 11, 18
    Lecture 17 (M 04/09) The Milky Way Galaxy--I Chapter 19
    Sections 19.1-19.4
    Hand-out #13: 1, 2
    Lecture 18 (W 04/11) The Milky Way Galaxy-II Chapter 20
    Sections 20.1-20.4
    Hand-out #14: 1, 2
    Lecture 19 (M 04/16) The Nature of Galaxies Chapter 21, all Chapter 23: 7, 9
    Lecture 20 (W 04/18) The Structure of the Universe Chapters 22 and 23, all Chapter 25: 2, 13*, 14
    *For numerical values, read pp 1125-1128 of text
    Lecture 21 (M 04/23) Test on Star Deaths and GalaxiesActive Galaxies Chapter 24, all Chapter 26: 17, 18
    Lecture 22 (W 04/25) Cosmology  Chapter 25, all  TBD
    Special Planetarium Visit (M 04/30) Intelligent Life in the Universe None None
    Final Exam Through Chapter 25