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PHYS 190 Introduction to Astronomy final exam study guide Simon Fraser University
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PHYS 190 Introduction to Astronomy final exam study guide Simon Fraser University
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PHYS 190 Introduction toAstronomy final exam study
guide Simon Fraser University
Lecture 1:
,Course Material Highlights
- Galaxy Definition:
o Explored through multimedia resources, including narrated
videos and music-accompanied visual presentations.
- Sub-fields of Astronomy:
o A diverse range of topics including astronomical instrumentation,
astrometry, celestial mechanics, solar physics, planetary science,
stellar astrophysics, galaxy evolution, and cosmology.
- Astrophysics Representation:
o Demonstrated through pop culture references, illustrating societal
perceptions and the reality of working in astrophysics.
Why Study Astronomy?
- Universal Interest:
o Astronomy connects us to the universe on the grandest scale,
offering perspectives on age-old questions about the universe's
origins, composition, and ultimate fate.
- Visual Spectacle:
o Astronomy produces stunning imagery, capturing the
imagination and inspiring further exploration and study.
- Philosophical and Inspirational Quotes:
o Figures like Plato, Copernicus, Hawking, and Williams offer
insights into the profound impact of astronomy on human
thought and the spirit of discovery.
Key Learning Resources
- Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF):
o A profound look into the depths of the universe, demonstrating the
vastness and diversity of galaxies within a tiny portion of the sky.
- James Webb Space Telescope (JWST):
o Introduction to its capabilities in observing the universe in the
infrared spectrum, crucial for understanding the earliest and
farthest galaxies.
Lecture 2:
Scientific Notation and Powers of 10
, - Importance:
o Essential for expressing very large or very small numbers in astronomy,
facilitating easier calculations and understanding of astronomical
scales.
- Basics of Scientific Notation:
o Represent numbers as a factor of 10
▪ (e.g., 10^1 = 10, 10^2 = 100, 10^-1 = 0.1.
▪ Use to simplify arithmetic operations and represent
significant figures accurately.
- Common associations:
o 10^3 = 1 thousand, 10^6 = 1 million, 10^9 =1 billion, 10^12
=1 trillion.
The Celestial Sphere and Celestial Coordinates
- Celestial Sphere:
o An imaginary sphere surrounding Earth, used to map the
positions of stars and celestial objects.
- Celestial Coordinates:
o System used to pinpoint locations of objects in the sky,
analogous to geographic coordinates on Earth.
Estimation in Astronomy
- Approximations:
o Astronomical measurements often rely on estimations due to the
immense scales and distances involved.
- Example:
o Estimating the time it would take for the fastest spacecraft to
reach Wolf 359, using rounded figures for speed and distance.
Practical Applications
- Stars vs. Sand:
o Comparison of the number of stars in the observable universe to the
number of grains of sand on Earth, illustrating the vastness of the
cosmos.
- Light Travel Time:
o Calculation of the time it takes for light to travel from the Sun to
Earth, introducing the concept of an Astronomical Unit (AU) as the
average distance between Earth and the Sun.
- Spacecraft Velocity:
, o Problem-solving example calculating the speed of a spacecraft taking
one year to reach the Sun from Earth.
Interactive and Visual Learning
- Scales of the Universe:
o Introduction to resources such as interactive animations and
videos (e.g., Powers of Ten) to visually comprehend the
astronomical scales.
Lecture Insights
- Scientific Notation Exercises:
o Emphasis on the practical use of scientific notation in
astronomical calculations, with examples ranging from basic
arithmetic to more complex applications like estimating
spacecraft travel times and light travel distances.
- Understanding Scale:
o Through interactive resources and estimation exercises, students
gain a perspective on the immense scales involved in astronomy,
from the microcosmic to the macrocosmic.
- Astronomy in Practice:
o The lecture illustrates the application of mathematical concepts to
real-world astronomical phenomena, fostering a deeper
understanding of the universe's workings.
Conclusion
This lecture underscores the critical role of mathematical tools in
astronomy, particularly scientific notation, for grappling with the universe's vast
scales. Through examples and practical exercises, students are equipped with the
skills to perform essential astronomical calculations, enhancing their
comprehension of celestial mechanics and the spatial dimensions of the cosmos.
Lecture 3:
Angles and Coordinates in the Sky
- Celestial Sphere:
o An imaginary sphere that surrounds Earth, with stars appearing to
reside on its inner surface. It's a fundamental concept used to
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