Astronomy

• 830 Dennison Building
• 764-3440
• Professor Hugh D. Aller, Chair

May be elected as a departmental concentration program

Professors

• H. D. Aller, Radio Astronomy, Active Extragalactic Objects, VLBI
• J. N. Bregman, Interstellar Medium, Quasars, Fluid Dynamics
• C. R. Cowley, Nucleocosmochemistry, Stellar Spectra
• G. M. MacAlpine, Quasars, Emission Line Galaxies, Photoionization Models
• D. O. Richstone, Galaxy Structure, Formation and Evolution

Associate Professors

• R. L. Sears, Stellar Evolution, HR Diagram

Assistant Professors

• Gary M. Bernstein, Emergence of galaxies, gravitational lensing of distant galaxies, spatial distributions of galaxies, the mass structure of the Universe; large CCD cameras
• M. Mateo, Stellar Populations in Galaxies
• P. O. Seitzer, Stellar Dynamics, Optical Instrumentation
  

The Astronomy curriculum is useful to students seeking a general knowledge of astronomy as part of a liberal arts education as well as to those preparing for a professional career in the field. The introductory sequences provide an understanding of the structure and evolution of the universe, introduce basic concepts of science, and acquaint students with scientific methods. These introductory courses (Astronomy 101 and 102; 111 and 112; 130; 160) both stimulate and satisfy intellectual curiosity and lay the foundation for advanced work.

• Prerequisites to Concentration. Astronomy 160; Mathematics through Mathematics 216 (or the equivalent); Physics 140/141, 240/241, and 242.
  
  
• Concentration Program. Astronomy 361, 399, 402, 404, and 429 form the core of the concentration program. All astronomy concentrators also must elect Mathematics 450, Physics 401, 405, and 453. In addition, all astronomy concentrators are required to elect one of the following: Astronomy 401, 403, 405, or 406. Students are urged to complete the requirements in physics and mathematics as soon as possible. Students planning graduate work should acquire a reading knowledge of French, German, or Russian.
  
  
• Honors Concentration. Students who are interested in scholarly research in astronomy and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 are encouraged to consider Honors concentration. Students with a lower GPA may be admitted to the program at the discretion of the concentration advisor. The program requires writing a senior Honors thesis based on research done in collaboration with a faculty member. Interested students should consult with the concentration advisor by the beginning of their junior year.
  
  
• Advising. The concentration advisor is Professor Bregman. Information about scheduling advising appointments is available from the department office.
• Honors Research Tutorials. Students participating in the Honors Science Program may elect College Honors 291 and 292 through the Astronomy Department during the sophomore year. Professor Bregman assigns students on the basis of interests and background to participating staff members. Students in the Program who wish to concentrate in astronomy should elect prerequisites through that program.

Courses in Astronomy (Division 326)

101. Introductory Astronomy: The Solar System. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 111, 130, or 160. I and II. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/2).

102. Introductory Astronomy: Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 112, 130, or 160. I and II. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/2).

111. Introductory Astronomy: The Solar System. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 101, 130, or 160. I, II, and IIIa. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/2).

112. Introductory Astronomy: Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 102, 130, or 160. I, II, IIIa, and IIIb. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/2).

120. Frontiers of Astronomy. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Astro. 125. (3). (NS).

122. The Origin of the Elements and the History of Matter. (3). (NS).

125. Observational Astronomy. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Astro. 120. (4). (NS).

130. Explorations in Astronomy. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 101, 102, 111, 112, or 160. I. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/2).

160. Introduction to Astrophysics. Math. 115, and prior or concurrent enrollment in Phys. 140; or permission of instructor. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 102, 112, or 130. I and II. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/2).

204/AOSS 204/Geology 204. The Planets: Their Geology and Climates. High school mathematics through plane geometry and trigonometry. Those with credit for GS 113 may only elect Astro. 204 for 2 credits. (3). (NS). (BS).

261/Naval Science 301. Navigation. I. (2). (Excl). (BS).

361. Astronomical Techniques. Astro. 160 or permission of instructor. II. (4). (Excl). (BS).

389. Individual Studies in Astronomy. Permission of instructor. (1-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for credit.

399. Introduction to Research. Permission of instructor. (1-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for credit.

401. Solar System Astrophysics. Phys. 140 and Math. 116, and prior or concurrent enrollment in Phys. 240. II. (3). (Excl). (BS).

402. Stellar Astrophysics. Math. 216, and prior or concurrent enrollment in Phys. 242; or permission of instructor. I. (3). (Excl). (BS).

403. Astrophysics of the Interstellar Medium. Math. 216, and prior or concurrent enrollment in Phys. 240; or permission of instructor. I. (3). (Excl). (BS).

404. Galaxies and the Universe. Math. 216, and prior or concurrent enrollment in Phys. 242; or permission of instructor. II. (3). (Excl). (BS).

405. High Energy Astrophysics. Math. 216, and prior or concurrent enrollment in Phys. 242; or permission of instructor. I. (3). (Excl). (BS).

406. Computational Astrophysics. Math. 216, prior or concurrent enrollment in Phys. 240, and some knowledge of programming; or permission of instructor. II. (3). (Excl). (BS).

429. Senior Seminar. Open only to senior concentrators. Astro. 401, 402, and 404, or permission of department. I. (2). (Excl). (BS).

520. Cosmochemistry. Astro. 401, 402, and 404, or permission of instructor. II. (3). (Excl). (BS).