Astrophysical Sciences 203
The Universe
Spring 2012

Course Information

This course comes in three parts -- planets and life, stars and relativity, and galaxies and cosmology -- with a syllabus targeting the frontiers of modern astrophysics. Subjects include the intellectual history of astronomy, the solar system; the search for life in the universe; the birth, life, and death of stars; Einstein's special and general theories of relativity; black holes; the structure of the Milky Way; the properties of galaxies; the expanding universe; and big bang cosmology and the future fate of the universe.

This course has three faculty lecturers: Christopher Chyba, Anatoly Spitkovsky, and Jenny Greene. Each will give roughly eight lectures. Prof. Spitkovsky is the administrative head of the course, and should be the contact for organizational questions throughout the semester. E-mail is always the easiest way to get ahold of us (put "AST 203" in the subject line, please!).

McDonnell A02 Lectures T,Th 3:00-4:20

Professors

Christopher Chyba 8-3588 122 Peyton Hall, and Program on Science and Global Security, 221 Nassau Street cchyba@princeton.edu	OFFICE HOURS: Wednesdays, 3-5 in 122 Peyton Hall
Anatoly Spitkovsky 8-2307 123 Peyton Hall anatoly@astro.princeton.edu	OFFICE HOURS: Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:00-4:00 PM
Jenny Greene 8-0764 4 Peyton Hall jgreene@astro.princeton.edu	OFFICE HOURS: Mondays, 3:30-5:30 PM.

Teaching and Course Assistants:

Jose Garmila 32 Peyton Hall garmilla@astro.princeton.edu	OFFICE HOURS: Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am-11am
Wendy Ju 21 Peyton Hall wju@astro.princeton.edu	OFFICE HOURS: Tuesdays, 1pm - 3pm
Sudhir Raskutti 23 Peyton Hall raskutti@astro.princeton.edu	OFFICE HOURS: Thursdays 1-3pm

TEXT

The Cosmic Perspective (Sixth Edition, 2009)

Jeffrey Bennett, Megan Donahue, Nicholas Schneider, and Mark Voit (Addison Wesley)

(The fourth and fifth editions are acceptable as well. But do not get one of the abridged or abbreviated versions of this book, with titles like "The Essential Cosmic Perspective", or "Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology: The Cosmic Perspective Volume 2", "Cosmic Perspective: Solar System".)

Here are some notes on how to read the books.

There will be regularly scheduled informal precepts ("problem sessions") throughout the semester, which will allow discussion of the material presented in lecture, discussion of the homework assignments with the course and teaching assistants and an opportunity to work with other students on the homework. These will be held in the Peyton Hall auditorium. These precepts are not mandatory.

In addition, we will hold observing sessions throughout the semester, to explore the night sky, the planets, double stars, nebulae and galaxies. They are usually scheduled for Tuesday or Thursday nights, but may move to other nights depending on the weather. Watch your e-mail! If you miss your night (assigned by last name), you can join another one without contacting the instructors. Auditors are welcome to attend the observing as well.

Grading:

Homework:

35 % (six assignments; mixture of conceptual and quantitative questions)

Mid-Term:

25% Combination of Essay and Quantitative Questions

Final Exam:

40% Combination of Essay and Quantitative Questions

Homework is due at the end of class on the date indicated in the syllabus. Late homework will not be accepted, as homework solutions will be made available at the time that the homework is due. You are welcome to work together on the homeworks, but each person's writeup should be their own, using their own words.

Each student will have a folder with their name on it, in one of a series of boxes which will be placed in the hallway outside the lecture room (the Brush Gallery) on the day the homework is due or when it is returned. Homework and exams will be handed in, and returned to you, via these folders.

Grading will be done on a curve; the curve will be set following the midterm exam and announced at that time.

The course Home Page is:
http://www.astro.princeton.edu/ast203

Lecture notes, homework assignments, and other relevant information will be posted on this web site; check it often. Notices will also be sent out by e-mail. Other information, such as instructors' slides, will be posted on Blackboard site.

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