EXOPLANETS

ASTRON 140

Our Galaxy contains about 100 billion stars. Most of these stars have planets as diverse and as fascinating as the worlds in our own neighborhood, the solar system. Learn about the study of planets and exoplanets, probing some of the deepest questions science and philosophy grapple with. Explore the ways in which scientists search for and analyze planets orbiting distant stars, both in the classroom and in hands-on laboratory experiences. From moons to super-Jupiters, this course provides an engrossing introduction into the brand new science of exoplanet research.

ASTRON 104

Humanity is linked to the solar system in countless ways. Our view of the solar system, how planets form, and how planetary systems evolve has fundamentally changed with the discovery of countless exoplanets around other stars. Join us in exploring the modern view of the solar system and its relation to other planetary worlds. Includes the sky and celestial motions; ancient astronomy; the Copernican revolution; gravity, orbits, and interplanetary travel; formation of solar system; survey of sun, planets and moons; asteroids, meteors and comets; origin of life.

ASTRON 465

A basic introduction into astronomical observations and data analysis techniques by undertaking observational projects with optical and radio telescopes. Topics covered include observation and data reduction, basic calibration of radio and optical telescopes, basics of data analysis and statistics, presenting scientific results, and basics of scientific ethics. Although specific to observational astrophysics, these methods are applicable to any of the physical sciences disciplines.

ASTRON 150

Intensively study selected topics of modern astronomy. Examples include missions to the planets, formation of stars and planets, end states of stellar evolution (supernovae, white dwarfs, pulsars, black holes), origin and evolution of the universe.

ASTRON 340

Properties of solar system objects, solar atmospheric phenomena, physics of planetary atmospheres, results of recent planetary missions, comets, origin of the solar system.