1 COURSE CONTENT Academic Year AY2018-19 Semester 2 Course Coordinator Click here to access EEE Course Coordinator’s List Course Code EE5086 (replace course code EE8086 w.e.f. AY2021 Semester 2) Course Title Astronomy – Stars, galaxies and cosmology Pre-requisites Nil No of AUs 3 AUs Contact Hours Lectures: 39 hours Proposal Date 24 Dec. 2018 Course Aims The basic goal of this course is to give you a fundamental understanding of astronomy. Through the course, you will learn about the birth and evolution of the universe, the origin of galaxies, the evolution of stars and the formation of planets. Our solar system will also be one of the main topics to be studied. Important cosmology topics will be presented, some unanswered mysteries of the universe and mankind will be discussed and hopefully arise further interest and lead you to further your own exploration. During this course, the diverse facts that form the context of a science will be delivered, and as a result you will understand our place in the Universe. During the course, you will also have opportunities to participate in various practical sessions: a few evening stargazing session are organized during the semester -when appropriate- in order to facilitate direct observation of suitable astronomical objects (Moon, planets, star clusters). Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO) You will learn the fundamentals of astronomy and acquire some basic skills to allow you to further explore and acquire knowledge about the vast cosmos on your own. By the end of this course, you would be able to: 1) Describe the origin and science of astronomy and key scientific concepts and laws relating to astronomy. 2) Explain what makes light the so-called “Cosmic Messenger”, what is the nature of light, how light & matter interact and how light analysis can reveal chemical fingerprints. 3) Read the stars, describe the basics of astronomical observations and of the underlying causes for the most fundamental astronomical phenomena, and work with astronomical tools, such as telescopes. 4) Provide an overview of the Solar System, its origin, structure, sizes and scales, and how solar systems are formed. 5) Describe and discuss the unique features of the terrestrial planets. 6) Describe and discuss the unique features of the gas giants and of Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) and explain the key differences between comets, asteroids and meteors. 7) Describe our star, the Sun in terms of its structure; discuss its long-term stability, its activities, and the way in which it directly impacts Earth. 2 8) Describe and discu ss the fundamental properties of stars, and determine how stars are classified, and identify the basic features of star clusters. 9) Describe and discuss the beginning of stars, the masses of newborn stars and the evolution and lives of stars. 10) Describe and discuss the astronomical objects resulting after the ‘death’ of stars. 11) Describe galaxies, their formation, evolution, structure, classification & role in the gas-star-gas recycling process. Identify and describe the main methods used to determine galactic distances. Describe and discuss the expansion of the Universe & its implications; describe quasars & active galactic nuclei. 12) Describe and discuss dark matter, dark energy & the fate of the Universe. 13) Describe and discuss the Big Bang, the key elements that prove this theory and the geometry of the Universe. 14) Describe and discuss the main features of Life on Earth and of its evolution, determine how Earth organisms that live in extreme conditions are relevant for the study of Life in our Solar System and the Universe. Describe and discuss the most possible places where Life could be found in our Solar System and the possibility of Life on other planets. Identify rocket propulsion engines suitable for interstellar travel, and about its implications. Course Con tent 1) Our place in the Universe: Astronomical Terminology. Scale of the Universe. Motion of Earth in the Universe. Tour of our sky. The cause of Seasons. 2) Origin and science of astronomy: Ancient astronomy. The Copernican revolution. Kepler’s laws of planetary motion. Galileo: the death of the Earth-centered Universe. Key concepts: motion, energy & gravity. Isaac Newton, his laws and orbital motion. 3) Light - the Cosmic Messenger: Basic properties of light & matter; how light & matter interact. What is light? The electromagnetic spectrum. Learning from light: spectrometry; types of spectra; chemical fingerprints. 4) Read the stars: Timekeeping and the celestial sphere. The constellations and naming the stars. The celestial coordinate system. Timekeeping, calendars, the seasons. Precession of the earth’s rotation axis. Lunar orbit and phases. Solar eclipses, lunar eclipses and tides. Astronomical tools – optical telescopes, modern astronomical telescopes, radio telescopes and the Hubble space telescope. 5) Understand the Solar System - Origin & Overview: Sizes & scales. Revolution and rotation of planets. Conservation of angular momentum. The origin of the solar system, how solar systems are formed. 6) Terrestrial planets: Earth & Earth’s moon. The planets Mercury, Venus and Mars. 7) Gas giants and of Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs): The planet Jupiter & the Jovian moons. The planet Saturn & the moons of Saturn; The planets Uranus and Neptune. The dwarf planet Pluto. What are comets, asteroids and meteors? 8) Our star, the Sun: Structure of the Sun. Energy creation in the Sun. Stability of the Sun. Sunspots & solar activities. The Sun-Earth connection. 9) Exploring the stars: Fundamental properties of stars. How do we measure these properties? How do we classify stars? What are the types of star clusters? How do we determine the age of a star cluster? 10) The beginning & life of stars: Where & how do stars form? Stages of star birth. Masses of newborn stars. Lifes of low & high mass stars. Interaction in a close binary system. 3 11) The bizarre stellar graveyard: Properties of white dwarfs. White dwarf nova & supernova. Properties of neutron stars. Pulsars. X-ray bursters. Properties of black holes. γ-ray bursts. 12) Galaxies: The Milky Way - structure & its contents. Galactic recycling. The mysterious galactic center. Types of galaxies. Determining galactic distances. Hubble’s Law & its implications. Galaxy formation & evolution. Quasars & active galactic nuclei. 13) Dark matter, dark energy & the fate of the Universe: Dark matter. Mass distribution in our galaxy & galaxy clusters. Dark energy. Structure formation, evolution & fate of the Universe. 14) Big Bang and the geometry of the Universe: Conditions of the early Universe. The Big Bang Theory. Evidences of the Big Bang. Geometry of the Universe. Olbers’ Paradox. 15) Life in the Universe & the future of space exploration: Life on Earth. Possibility of Life on other planets. Search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Interstellar travel & its implications. Course Outline S/N Topic Lecture Hours 1 Our Place in the Universe 3 2 Origin and Science of Astronomy 3 3 The Cosmic Messenger 3 4 Solar System Origin 3 5 Terrestrial Planets 3 6 Jovian Planets and Comets 3 7 Our Star, the Sun 3 8 The Beginning & Life of Stars 3 9 Star Birth and Evolution 3 10 The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard 3 11 Galaxies 3 12 Dark Matter, Dark Energy & The Big Bang and the Fate of the Universe 3 13 Life in the Universe 3 Total hours 39 Assessment (includes both continuous and summative assessment) Component Course LO Tested Related Programme LO or Graduate Attributes Weighting Team/ Individual Assessment rubrics 1. Final Examination 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. EAB SLO* b, d, g, l 60% Individual 4 2. Continuous Assessment 1 (CA1): Quiz 1 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 EAB SLO* b, d, g 20% Individual 3. Continuous Assessment 2 (CA 2): Quiz 2 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 EAB SLO* b, d, g 20% Individual Total 100% * Please refer to Appendix 2 on the EAB accreditation SLOs Mapping of Course SLOs to EAB Graduate Attributes Course Student Learning Outcomes Cat EAB’s 12 Graduate Attributes* (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l) EE 5 086 Astronomy – Stars, galaxies and cosmology UE ◐ 1. Describe the origin and science of astronomy and key scientific concepts and laws relating to astronomy. EAB SLO* b, d, g, l 2. Explain what makes light the so-called “Cosmic Messenger”, what is the nature of light, how light & matter interact and how light analysis can reveal chemical fingerprints. EAB SLO* b, d, g, l 3. Read the stars, describe the basics of astronomical observations and of the underlying causes for the most fundamental astronomical phenomena, and work with astronomical tools, such as telescopes. EAB SLO* b, d, l 4. Provide an overview of the Solar System, its origin, structure, sizes and scales, and how solar systems are formed. EAB SLO* b, d, l 5. Describe and discuss the unique features of the terrestrial planets. EAB SLO* b, d, l 6. Describe and discuss the unique features of the gas giants and of Trans- Neptunian Objects (TNOs) and explain the key differences between comets, asteroids and meteors. EAB SLO* b, d, g, l 7. Describe our star, the Sun in terms of its structure; discuss its long-term stability, its activities, and the way in which it directly impacts Earth. EAB SLO* b, d, l 8. Describe and discuss the fundamental properties of stars, and determine how stars are classified, and identify the basic features of star clusters. EAB SLO* b, d, g, l 9. Describe and discuss the beginning of stars, the masses of newborn stars and the evolution and lives of stars. EAB SLO* b, d, l 10. Describe and discuss the astronomical objects resulting after the ‘death’ of stars. EAB SLO* b, d, l 5 11. Describe galaxies, their formation, evolution, structure, classification & role in the gas-star-gas recycling process. Identify and describe the main methods used to determine galactic distances. Describe and discuss the expansion of the Universe & its implications; describe quasars & active galactic nuclei. EAB SLO* b, d, l 12. Describe and discuss dark matter, dark energy & the fate of the Universe. EAB SLO* b, d, l 13. Describe and discuss the Big Bang, the key elements that prove this theory and the geometry of the Universe. EAB SLO* b, d, l 14. Describe and discuss the main features of Life on Earth and of its evolution, determine how Earth organisms that live in extreme conditions are relevant for the study of Life in our Solar System and the Universe. Describe and discuss the most possible places where Life could be found in our Solar System and the possibility of Life on other planets. Identify rocket propulsion engines suitable for interstellar travel, and about its implications.escribe and discuss the Big Bang, the key elements that prove this theory and the geometry of the Universe. EAB SLO* b, d, g, l Legend: Fully consistent (contributes to more than 75% of Student Learning Outcomes) ◐ Partially consistent (contributes to about 50% of Student Learning Outcomes) Weakly consistent (contributes to about 25% of Student Learning Outcomes) Blank Not related to Student Learning Outcomes Formative feedback Examination results; Markers’ report on overall examination performance; Quizzes scores and answers. Learning and Teaching approach Approach How does this approach support you in achieving the learning outcomes? LECTURE Introducing basic scientific concepts Imparting new astronomical knowledge Understand some important notions related to the place and impact of the humans on Earth and in the Universe Stimulate you to find out more on your own about the presented topics and provide some initial additional materials for this purpose NTULearn allows posting lecture notes, recordings and additional materials that also help you in your assimilation of the taught materials, while also offering a platform for increased interaction with the teachers TEL-based course materials would also be provided to help you learn at your own time and pace 6 TUTORIAL N.A. Practical sessions – stargazing Offers you the possibility to have direct contact with astronomical tools and personally observe various astronomical objects Reading and References Textbook 1. Bennett Jeffrey O, The cosmic perspective: stars, galaxies & cosmology, 8th edition, Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2016 (QB43.3.C834 2010) References 1. Seeds Michael A, Horizons: Exploring the Universe, 13th Edition, Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2014 (QB45.2.S451 2014) 2. Bennett Jeffrey O, On the Cosmic Horizon: Ten Great Mysteries for Third Millennium Astronomy, Addison-Wesley, 2001. (QB43.2.B471) Course Policies and Student Responsibilities General: You are expected to take responsibility to follow up with course notes and course related announcements. Continuous assessments: You are required to attend all continuous assessments. Absenteeism: Continuous assessments make up a significant portion of your course grade. Absence from continuous assessments without officially approved leave will result in no marks and affect your overall course grade. Academic Integrity Good academic work depends on honesty and ethical behaviour. The quality of your work as a student relies on adhering to the principles of academic integrity and to the NTU Honour Code, a set of values shared by the whole university community. Truth, Trust and Justice are at the core of NTU’s shared values. As a student, it is important that you recognize your responsibilities in understanding and applying the principles of academic integrity in all the work you do at NTU. Not knowing what is involved in maintaining academic integrity does not excuse academic dishonesty. You need to actively equip yourself with strategies to avoid all forms of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, academic fraud, collusion and cheating. If you are uncertain of the definitions of any of these terms, you should go to the academic integrity website for more information. Consult your instructor(s) if you need any clarification about the requirements of academic integrity in the course. 7 Course Instructors Instructor Office Location Phone Email The contact info will be provided to students at the beginning of each semester. Planned Weekly Schedule Week Topic Course LO Readings/ Activities 1 Our Place in the Universe 1 Lecture 1 2 Origin and Science of Astronomy 2 Lecture 2 3 The Cosmic Messenger 3, 4 Lecture 3 4 Solar System Origin 5 Lecture 4 5 Terrestrial Planets 6 Lecture 5 6 Jovian Planets and Comets 7 Lecture 6 & Quiz 1 7 Our Star, the Sun 8 Lecture 7 8 The Beginning & Life of Stars 9 Lecture 8 9 Star Birth and Evolution 9 Lecture 9 10 The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard 10 Lecture 10 11 Galaxies 11 Lecture 11 & Quiz 2 12 Dark Matter, Dark Energy. The Big Bang and the Fate of the Universe 12, 13 Lecture 12 13 Life in the Universe 14 Lecture 13 8 Appendix 2: The EAB (Engineering Accreditation Board) Accreditation SLOs (Student Learning Outcomes) a) Engineering knowledge: Apply the knowledge of mathematics, natural science, engineering fundamentals, and an engineering specialisation to the solution of complex engineering problems b) Problem Analysis: Identify, formulate, research literature, and analyse complex engineering problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering sciences. c) Design/development of Solutions: Design solutions for complex engineering problems and design system components or processes that meet the specified needs with appropriate consideration for public health and safety, cultural, societal, and environmental considerations. d) Investigation: Conduct investigations of complex problems using research-based knowledge and research methods including design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis of the information to provide valid conclusions. e) Modern Tool Usage: Create, select, and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering and IT tools including prediction and modelling to complex engineering activities with an understanding of the limitations f) The engineer and Society: Apply reasoning informed by the contextual knowledge to assess societal, health, safety, legal, and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities relevant to the professional engineering practice. g) Environment and Sustainability: Understand the impact of the professional engineering solutions in societal and environmental contexts, and demonstrate the knowledge of, and need for the sustainable development. h) Ethics: Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and norms of the engineering practice. i) Individual and Team Work: Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in diverse teams and in multidisciplinary settings. j) Communication: Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the engineering community and with society at large, such as, being able to comprehend and write effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear instructions. k) Project Management and Finance: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the engineering and management principles and economic decision-making, and apply these to one’s own work, as a member and leader in a team, to manage projects and in multidisciplinary environments. l) Life-long Learning: Recognise the need for, and have the preparation and ability to engage in independent and life-long learning in the broadest context of technological change.