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2008 Introductory Astronomy outline notes, references and sample questions
(Subject to change)
Note:
References: Aside from the lecture notes given in class, and the
recommended text for this course ("Astronomy: The Evolving Universe" (9th edition) by Zeilik, Cambridge University Press).
Four copies of the text for this course (Zeilik, 9th edition) can be found in reserve in the Hamilton library shelves as well as 10 copies in S-LEN (may be in the oversize section).
In addition, the
Hyperphysics
interactive site has some interesting reading, and
the following section is useful:
Astrophysics
Supporting information for lecture course:
Movies (these will run under Windows media player)
Daily motion of the sky (movie)
The movie starts with the sky fixed and the Earth rotating, then changes to the apparent
motion of the sky about the fixed Earth (i.e., from the observer's point of view).
Yearly motion of the Sun (movie)
This movie shows the apparent motion of the Sun through the sky over a period of a year
i.e., view this as a series of snapshots of the Sun's position on each day at noon. Note
the motion of the Sun along the ecliptic and above and below the Celestial Equator.
Note: the ecliptic has a fixed angle relative to the Celestial Equator (think of
the ecliptic and the CE as two interlocking rings) - the change in the Sun's altitude in
the sky over the year is due solely to the Sun's motion along the ecliptic.
Tutorials
Tutorial for week beginning 24th April 2006 * Corrected 20/4/06 * (Word document)
Planetary temperatures (slides - best using Internet Explorer)
Atmospheric lifetimes (slides - best using Internet Explorer)
Virial theorem (slides - best using Internet Explorer)
* NEW* Tutorial sample suggestions
Answers to tutorial for week beginning 24th April 2006 (pdf document)
Figures
The Sun's apparent motion through the zodiac over a year (gif)
The angular distance of the Moon from the Sun as viewed from above the Earth (gif)
The angular distance of the Moon from the Sun as viewed by the observer (gif)
The maximum elongation of Venus from the Sun (gif)
Venus as viewed in the evening and morning sky (gif)
Plot of the frequency and energy of cosmic impacts on the Earth (gif)
Comparison of theoretical stellar evolutionary models of different ages (jpg)
`To teach is to learn twice.' - Joseph Joubert
Teaching (TCD only)
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