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PHY1107 Astronomy 2

Semester 2, 2022 Online
Units : 1
Faculty or Section : Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences
School or Department : School of Mathematics, Physics & Computing
Grading basis : Graded
Course fee schedule : /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules

Staffing

Examiner:

Overview

PHY1107 Astronomy 2 provides an introduction to the Sun, the stars, and the galaxies. It is an appropriate elective for students of physics & astronomy, biology, chemistry, climatology, education and other disciplines. The course provides broad scientific understanding of our origins, our place in the universe, and our future, and highlights the profound astronomical influences on our planet. The course starts with the Sun and its terrestrial influences, and how stars help us trace the Sun's past, present and future. It then reviews what is known about our home galaxy, the Milky Way, and the other galaxies that form the basic building blocks of the visible universe. It also delves into cosmology, the study of the universe as a whole. The course concludes with a look at life on Earth, and the search for extra-terrestrial life and intelligence. Access to Mt Kent Observatory data is provided, so that students can develop skills in observing "deep sky" objects beyond the solar system. PHY1107 is the complementary course to PHY1101 Astronomy 1, an introduction to planetary science.

The astronomy course is about the Sun, the stars and galaxies, and includes cosmology, the study of the universe as a whole, and astrobiology, the study of life in the universe. The course begins with the Sun, our local typical star, and moves onto a survey of the stars of the night sky. The course then discusses how stars form, evolve, die and end up as stellar remnants. Our Milky Way galaxy is then introduced, as a prelude to a survey of other galaxies. Following this, the universe on the grandest scale is examined, from its origins in the Big Bang, to its future as an expanding, accelerating cosmos. Finally, we take a look at life on Earth, and how life and intelligence could arise elsewhere. Access to Mt Kent Observatory data is provided as part of this course, so that students can observe "deep sky" objects beyond our solar system. This course follows on from PHY1101 Astronomy 1 (which focuses on planetary science), but may be taken independently.

Course learning outcomes

On completion of this course students will be able to :

  1. describe our Sun's structure, energy source and activity;
  2. compare the Sun with other stars;
  3. summarise the process of star formation;
  4. discuss how stellar mass determines how a star evolves;
  5. describe the stellar remnants known as white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes;
  6. describe the structure of the Milky Way galaxy and our location within it;
  7. compare our Milky Way galaxy with other galaxies;
  8. discuss how galaxies form, interact and evolve over time;
  9. describe the key cosmological concepts of the Big Bang, dark matter, and dark energy;
  10. explain how scientists are searching for life beyond the Earth;
  11. plan a deep-sky observing night.

Topics

Description Weighting(%)
1. The Sun 10.00
2. The Stars 10.00
3. Star Formation 10.00
4. Stellar Evolution 10.00
5. Stellar Remnants 10.00
6. The Milky Way 10.00
7. Galaxies 10.00
8. Galaxy Evolution 10.00
9. Cosmology 10.00
10. Astrobiology 10.00

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

OpenStax 2019, Astronomy, Modified textbook, OpenStax CNX.
(Only available for viewing and download via the PHY1107 – Astronomy 2 course ¾«¶«´«Ã½appDesk page via USQ UConnect i.e. Not available through USQ's Online Bookshop.).

Student workload expectations

To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.

Assessment details

Approach Type Description Group
Assessment
Weighting (%)
Assignments Written Quiz No 25
Assignments Written Report No 25
Examinations Non-invigilated Time limited online examinatn No 50
Date printed 10 February 2023