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Explore the wonders of the universe, from black holes to newly discovered worlds. This course covers the birth and death of stars, the nature of black holes, and the search for extraterrestrial life. Engage with the latest discoveries and understand how we are made of stardust.

Study the formation, evolution, and current state of our solar system, including the Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. Learn from NASA mission data and explore planetary geology, atmospheric science, impact hazards, global warming, and the search for life beyond Earth.

When civilization was young, Seneca wrote, A single lifetime, even entirely devoted to the sky, would not be enough for the investigation of so vast a subject. Our descendants will be amazed that we did not know things that are so plain to them. We will work to understand what he and the ancients knew about the night sky, and the ingenious methods by which they came to know it, and trace the history of astronomy through the modern day. Indeed, modern astronomy abounds with strange alien worlds and exotic events that would have amazed that great classical thinker: Stars and the tantalizing planets that journey with them through the galaxies, which smash into one another over millions of years. And when they die in great explosions, stars create exotic pulsars, black holes, nebulae, and people. And somehow all of this started at the single moment of the Big Bang. What will be so plain to our descendants that would amaze us today? Will they have contacted alien intelligence? Traveled in time? Learned the fate of the universe?

Explanation of Einstein's theory of Special Relativity, which brought about a fundamental change in our conceptual understanding of space and time. The consequences of the theory: the relativity of simultaneity; mass-energy equivalence, nuclear fission and fusion and thermonuclear processes in starts; why we can't travel faster than the speed of light; and how it all makes sense, including the resolution of some apparent paradoxes. Cosmology, studying the evidence for the evolution and future of the universe, and the considerations and evidence driving our theories, including an introduction to General Relativity and investigation of Dark Matter and Dark Energy. The death of stars: white dwarfs, neutron stars and pulsars, and black holes.

When civilization was young, Seneca wrote, A single lifetime, even entirely devoted to the sky, would not be enough for the investigation of so vast a subject. Our descendants will be amazed that we did not know things that are so plain to them. We will work to understand what he and the ancients knew about the night sky, and the ingenious methods by which they came to know it, and trace the history of astronomy through the modern day. Indeed, modern astronomy abounds with strange alien worlds and exotic events that would have amazed that great classical thinker: Stars and the tantalizing planets that journey with them through the galaxies, which smash into one another over millions of years. And when they die in great explosions, stars create exotic pulsars, black holes, nebulae, and people. And somehow all of this started at the single moment of the Big Bang. What will be so plain to our descendants that would amaze us today? Will they have contacted alien intelligence? Traveled in time? Learned the fate of the universe?

A hands-on introduction to observational astronomy. Learn how we gather knowledge about the universe using amateur telescopes. Includes evening labs featuring telescope observations at Fuertes Observatory and Mount Pleasant, as well as in-class experiments such as micrometeorite collection.

This course surveys the possibilities for life in the universe and the search for it, against the backdrop of our modern understanding of the cosmos. It covers ideas about the origin of the universe and how structure arises, the formation of stars and planets, how life might have begun on planets, the evolution of life on the Earth, and the search for life elsewhere in the solar system and beyond.

Co-taught by professors in Comparative Literature and Astronomy, this course will introduce students to the fundamentals of astronomy concepts through readings in Black Studies. We will experiment with what it means to engage with astrophysics concepts both inside and outside of the disciplinary framework of astronomy-for example, in genres like film, afrofuturist science fiction, and critical theory. Do astronomy concepts lose coherence outside of their scientific contexts, or do they acquire a different kind of sense? Why are humanities scholars everlastingly drawn toward the stars? In particular, what do artists and theoreticians of color gain from turning toward cosmological reflection? Texts will include works by authors like Octavia Butler and Dionne Brand, theorists like Sylvia Wynter and Denise Ferreira da Silva, and others. Astronomy concepts will include the electromagnetic spectrum, stellar evolution, and general relativity.

This course explores the evolution of the universe since the Big Bang and how our understanding has developed from ancient to modern times. Topics include the changing views of the sky, the formation of black holes, dark matter and dark energy, and the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe. The course provides a nonmathematical introduction to these subjects and addresses uncertainties and unresolved questions in cosmology.

Explore planetary science through the lens of spacecraft missions. Learn how missions are selected and developed, and engage with guest speakers from NASA, ESA, and policy experts. Topics include space policy, life in the outer solar system, Mars exploration, and the search for extrasolar planets.

Survey the universe from the Big Bang to galaxy formation. Topics include star formation, stellar evolution, black holes, and cosmology, with discussions on quantum physics, relativity, and particle physics. More in-depth than ASTRO 1101.

A quantitative exploration of planetary systems. Topics include orbital dynamics, planetary atmospheres, greenhouse effects, and smaller bodies like asteroids and comets. Includes comparisons to exoplanetary systems. More rigorous than ASTRO 1102.

This course is primarily an introduction to special relatvity with astrophysical applications. Later in the course we will also navigate the space-times around non-rotating and rotating black holes theoretically, with astrophysical applications. If time permits, gravitational radiation and cosmology will also be featured.

Investigate the potential for life beyond Earth, covering cosmic evolution, planetary formation, life’s origins, and astrobiology. Includes current efforts in the search for extraterrestrial life.

More than five thousand planets circling other stars have been discovered over the past two decades, and many more discoveries are sure to come. With the recent launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (Dec 2021) astronomers will be able to probe the atmosphere of potential Earth-like planets for the first time.How are these discoveries made and what are the properties of these exoplanets and their systems? How exotic can exoplanets to be? Would you survive on them? Is our solar system a typical planetary system or something unusual? How common are planets like Earth? How can we determine whether exoplanets can host life, or do host life? These and other issues related to planetary formation and evolution will be discussed in the course.

Study stellar formation, evolution, and final stages as white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes. Covers fundamental astrophysical concepts and observational evidence.

Explore galaxy formation and evolution over 13+ billion years. Topics include the role of black holes, dark matter, mergers, and cosmic environments in shaping galaxies.

Reviews basic techniques employed in the collection and processing of spacecraft images of solar system objects using MATLAB. Experience with MATLAB is not strictly necessary, but some general experience with computer programming is preferred.

Introduction to the tools of data processing and analysis for research in astronomy. The course reviews the techniques employed in astrophysical research, both observational and theoretical, to explore the universe. Methods and strategies of data acquisition and image and signal processing are discussed. Students gain hands-on experience with visualization techniques and methods of error analysis, data fitting, numerical simulation, and data scalability. Exercises address the processes by which astrophysicists piece together observations made with today's foremost astronomical instruments to solve questions concerning the origin of planets, stars, galaxies, and the universe itself. This course prepares students with the techniques and computing tools necessary to undertake research in astronomy and other data-driven fields.

Introduces Mathematica and symbolic computation for applications across sciences and engineering. Includes programming concepts, data analysis, and a final project in an area of interest.

Covers observational techniques in optical and radio astronomy. Topics include CCD imaging, spectroscopy, and interferometry. Labs use observatories on campus, emphasizing data analysis and instrumentation.

Covers stellar structure, solar neutrinos, stellar seismology, and the physics of compact objects like white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes.

Examines the production, interaction, and detection of electromagnetic radiation, cosmic rays, and gravitational waves to interpret astrophysical phenomena.

This course provides an introduction to theoretical and observational cosmology for science and engineering majors. Topics include general relativity in cosmology, the history of cosmic expansion, early universe processes, galaxy and cluster formation, and current and upcoming cosmological surveys, such as those of galaxies, galaxy clusters, gravitational lensing, and the cosmic microwave background. The course is designed at a less technical level than the graduate-level course ASTRO 6599.

Explores planetary physics, including orbital dynamics, tidal interactions, planetary interiors, atmospheres, and radiative transfer.

One-semester introduction to general relativity that develops the essential structure and phenomenology of the theory without requiring prior exposure to tensor analysis. General relativity is a fundamental cornerstone of physics that underlies several of the most exciting areas of current research, including relativistic astrophysics, cosmology, and the search for a quantum theory of gravity. The course briefly reviews special relativity, introduces basic aspects of differential geometry, including metrics, geodesics, and the Riemann tensor, describes black hole spacetimes and cosmological solutions, and concludes with the Einstein equation and its linearized gravitational wave solutions. At the level of Gravity: An Introduction to Einstein's General Relativity by Hartle.

This course covers probability, statistics, and signal processing to develop algorithms for detecting objects and events in astronomical data. Topics include frequentist and Bayesian model inference, time-series analysis, clustering, classification, genetic algorithms, Markov Chain Monte Carlo, and neural networks. Students will apply these methods to real and simulated data using Python and Jupiter notebooks.

Allows students to conduct independent research or study a specific area of astronomy under faculty supervision. A written report is required.

A comprehensive introduction to Einstein's theory of relativistic gravity. This course focuses on the formal structure of the theory.

A continuation of PHYS 6553 and ASTRO 6509 that covers a variety of advanced topics and applications of general relativity in astrophysics, cosmology, and high-energy physics.

Compact objects (neutron stars, black holes and white dwarfs) are the endpoints of stellar evolution. They are responsible for some of the most exotic phenomena in the universe such as supernovae, magnetars, gamma-ray bursts, neutron star and black hole mergers. Supermassive black holes also lie at the heart of the violent processes in active galactic nuclei. The study of compact objects allows one to probe physics under extreme conditions (high densities, strong magnetic fields, and gravity). This course surveys the astrophysics of compact stars and related subjects. Emphasis is on the application of diverse theoretical physics tools to various observations of compact stars. There are no astronomy or general relativity prerequisites.

This course will focus on topics related to the structure and dynamics of collisionless and mildly collisional systems in galaxies: stars in the galactic disk, stars in globular clusters, stars in open clusters, spiral arms, and the galactic center, as well as stars in binary and triple systems. We shall also discuss the formation, structure and evolution of the galaxy and its halo. There are no specific prerequisites for this course, but knowledge of classical mechanics at the level of Physics 3318 or AEP 3330 and practical familiarity with differential equations and linear algebra at the level of MATH 2940 will be assumed. Students should be aware of the existence of the objects mentioned in the course description.

This course covers probability, statistics, and signal processing to develop algorithms for detecting objects and events in astronomical data. Topics include frequentist and Bayesian model inference, time-series analysis, clustering, classification, genetic algorithms, Markov Chain Monte Carlo, and neural networks. Students will apply these methods to real and simulated data using Python and Jupiter notebooks.

This course covers telescope design, optics design and instrumentation for wavelengths from optical to radio and their relation to current research needs. Adaptive optics, interferometry, aperture synthesis, and beam forming will be covered. Instrumentation discussions will include CCD and IR/submillimeter detector arrays, heterodyne systems and phased array feeds at radio wavelengths as well as camera designs, cryogenic systems, spectrographs/spectrometers and interferometric correlators. Sensitivity issues, observing techniques, polarimetry and data analysis will be discussed. Course work includes observations with the Hartung-Boothroyd optical telescope on Mount Pleasant and a radio telescope on the roof of the Space Sciences Building. Data from these observations will be processed using modern analysis techniques implemented primarily in Python.

Astronomers study cosmic phenomena through radiation, including electromagnetic, neutrinos, cosmic rays, and gravitational waves. This course focuses on electromagnetic radiation, exploring its production, interaction, and observation, with brief discussion of other types.

This course will survey fluid dynamics (including magnetohydrodynamics and some plasma physics) important for understanding astronomical phenomena. Topics include basic fluid and MHD concepts and equations, waves and instabilities of various types (e.g., sound, gravity, Rossby, hydromagnetic, spiral density waves; Rayleigh-Taylor, thermal, Jeans, rotational, magnetorotational instabilities), shear and viscous flows, turbulence, shocks and blast waves, etc. These topics will be discussed in different astrophysical contexts and applications, such as atmosphere and ocean, star and planet formation, compact objects, interstellar medium, galaxies and clusters.

Covers stellar structure, evolution, and the physics of compact objects, including neutron stars and black holes.

Focuses on planetary dynamics, atmospheres, and interior structure, with applications to solar system and exoplanetary science.

This course will provide an overview of fundamental physical processes that govern the structure and behavior of atmospheres in the solar system and beyond. Topics covered will include the basic principles of atmospheric statics, radiative transfer, dynamics, cloud physics, and chemistry to understand the diverse range of observable atmospheres. These topics will be explored through review of relevant physical processes and research in solar system and exoplanetary science. This course is geared toward graduate students with a solid background in relevant math and physics coursework.

This course explores remote sensing techniques for studying solar system surfaces and the geomorphic processes shaping them. Topics include impact cratering, volcanism, tectonism, and erosion, with an emphasis on terrestrial field sites as planetary analogs. Students will also learn about surface morphology, planetary weathering, and fundamental field and remote sensing methods. An optional 1-credit field trip is available (see ASTRO 6580).

A graduate level course in astrodynamics and trajectory design. Course topics include a brief review of the two body problem, impulsive transfers, and perturbations; orbit determination and one-way ranging; algebraic and symplectic mappings and surfaces of section; the circular and elliptical 3-body problem, invariant manifolds and 3-body orbit design; secular and resonant perturbations; finite and continuous thrust modeling and transfer design. The course will emphasize numerical methods and building deep understanding of modern approaches to orbital design problems. Familiarity with basic orbital mechanics (at the level of MAE 4060 or equivalent) and numerical integration of dynamical systems will be assumed.

Field trip to accompany ASTRO 6577.

This course offers an overview of the fundamental physical processes shaping the large-scale structure of the universe, with an emphasis on galaxy morphology, dynamics, and evolution. Topics include galaxy formation, stellar feedback, the role of supermassive black holes, the influence of dark matter, and the impact of galactic mergers and gas accretion. Through a combination of observational evidence and theoretical frameworks, we will explore the development of galaxies across cosmic time, integrating key insights from both astrophysical and cosmological perspectives.

This course explores modern cosmology, covering the Big Bang theory, the universe’s matter content, and its evolution. Topics include the early universe, symmetry breaking, inflation, nucleosynthesis, recombination, structure formation, galaxy clustering, and dark energy. Students will also examine current and future observational techniques in cosmology.

Guided reading and seminars on topics not currently covered in regular courses.

Introduces symbolic and numerical computing using Mathematica for scientific and engineering applications. Includes programming, data visualization, and a final project.

A reading seminar for graduate students to broaden their astronomy knowledge, practice public speaking, and analyze key findings from seminal research papers.

Develops tools for using computers to model the physical world. Uses examples pulled broadly from core areas of physics: Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics, and Quantum Mechanics. Focus is on algorithmic thinking, converting mathematical representations into practical algorithms, working with data, and drawing physical conclusions from numerical results. Model problems will involve numerical quadratures, ordinary and partial differential equations, numerical linear algebra, event based simulations, and Monte Carlo techniques. May include modern techniques, such as those drawn from machine learning and artificial intelligence. Instruction will largely be in Julia, with computer labs integrated into lectures. No prior experience with Julia is necessary, but students should have some experience with programming. Graduate versions, PHYS 7680 and ASTRO 7690, require an additional project which is not required in the undergraduate version, PHYS 4480.