Ay 20 - Basic Astronomy and the Galaxy

The electromagnetic spectrum and basic radiative transfer; ground and space observing techniques; basic astrophysical optics; Kepler's laws; binary stars and exoplanets; stellar masses, distances, and motions; the birth, structure, evolution, and death of stars; the structure and dynamics of the Galaxy. Lessons will emphasize the use of order-of-magnitude calculations and scaling arguments in order to elucidate the physics of astrophysical phenomena. Short labs will introduce astronomical measurement techniques.