Exploring the Cosmos EXCOS1X

Exploring the Sky

  Dr M. Hendry, Room 257 Kelvin Building

10 lectures, starting October 2004




(Relevant chapters in Seeds: 2,3,4 and parts of 5).
 

Course Aims:

To provide and understanding of what can be seen in the sky by eye.

To provide a familiarity with the night sky and the apparent motions of the Sun, the Moon and planets.

To understand the nature of Lunar and Solar eclipses.

To survey the historical development of Astronomy within human cultures and the concepts of planetary motion.
 

Teaching Method:

The Lectures for Exploring the Sky will consist of power point presentations, illustrating and illuminating the main points of each lecture, which will be provided on a handout.  These handouts will be distributed at the lecture itself, and additional copies will also be available from Matt Trainer (Room 422a), who provides administrative support for EXCOS1X.

Since the handouts for this course contain essentially everything that you need to know from Exploring the Sky, there should be no need at all for you to scribble down everything from every power point slide in the lectures.  I am happy to answer any questions about the Lecture Notes, either in person during, before or after the lectures, or by telephone or email.

Observatory Visit

In association with Exploring the Sky, I intend to organise an optional visit to the University Observatory late in the first term.  This visit is entirely voluntary, and is organised in partnership with Astrosoc, the GU student astronomy society.   More details will be given on this website and in the course lectures.  This visit, and others hosted by Astrosoc, will provide a (hopefully) interesting insight into the running of the University Observatory and (weather permitting) an opportunity to do some real observing of the Moon, planets, stars and nebulae.

Glasgow Science Centre Visit

I also plan to organise an optional afternoon visit to the Glasgow Science Centre, on November 10th 2004, where the Scottish Power Space Theatre provides one of the most realistic planetarium experiences in the world. More details will be provided at the EXCOS lectures.


Lecture Summaries
   (will appear here as the course progresses)

Lecture 1        Summary

Lecture 2        Summary

Lecture 3        Summary

Lecture 4        Summary

Lecture 5        Summary

Lecture 6        Summary

Lecture 7        Summary

Lecture 8        Summary

Lecture 9        Summary



Mock Class Test:   some examples of typical multiple choice questions, of the same standard that you'll encounter in the 4th November Class Test. (Click here for the 2004 Class Test answers)


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Some Interesting WWW Links relating to Exploring the Sky
 

Click here to link to the Astronomy Picture of the Day  website

Click here to link to the homepage of Heavens Above (for info on the ISS and Iridium flashes visible in your area)

Click here to link to the homepage of Starry Night Backyard, a very good astronomical display program. (Something to put on your Christmas list!)
 

Please send any comments or questions on Exploring the Sky to Martin Hendry