Introductory description

The Universe contains a bewildering variety of objects - black-holes, red giants, white dwarfs, brown dwarfs, gamma-ray bursts and globular clusters - to name a few. The module introduces these, and shows how, with the application of physics, we have come to know their distances, sizes, masses and natures. The module starts with the Sun and planets and moves on to the Universe as a whole.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Description of the main constituents of the Universe with typical sizes, masses and distances covering: the Solar System. Stars and star clusters Angles, distances & sizes: angular size and the small-angle approximation; trigonometric parallax; simple telescopes; distance methods based upon the inverse square law of brightness.

Masses: the Doppler effect and the measurement of speed from spectra; the use of speeds and sizes to derive masses in the Solar System, binary stars, star clusters and galaxies.

Physical properties of stars: stellar temperatures; spectra and elemental compositions. Physical conditions within stars.

Galaxies: normal & active; the Milky Way; galaxy interactions; galaxy clusters.

The Universe: Hubble's discovery of the expansion of the Universe; implication of a finite age; the Cosmic Microwave Background; the composition of the Universe.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• List and describe the main constituents of the Universe
• Describe methods for measuring the distances of stars and galaxies and work through example computations
• Estimate the masses of stars and galaxies given information on size or angle, distance and speed
• Explain how the surface temperature of stars is measured and how the physical conditions of their interiors are inferred

Indicative reading list

Marc Kutner, Astronomy: a Physical perspective, CUP.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Knowledge of mathematics and physics. Skills in modelling, reasoning, thinking.

Transferable skills

Analytical, communication, problem-solving, self-study