About this class:

 

Read the Syllabus

 

The scope and the goals:

This is a very introductory, survey class about modern astronomy, intended for the non-astro/physics majors (who should take Ay 20 and Ay 21 instead). Our goals are both to teach you about our current (and still evolving) picture of the physical universe and the remarkable objects and phenomena in it, and also about how we know that - how our observations, interpreted in a framework of physics, lead us to that understanding.

 

The approach:

The class is divided into 20 thematic lectures, 2 per week. All of the lectures (videos + slides) are available to you on line, to watch (and re-watch as needed) on your own schedule and at your own convenience. The attendance is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended.


There will be also 1 weekly recitation section with your TA (Fridays 2-3 pm), where questions will be answered, concepts clarified, and simple quantitative problems worked out (these will be an excellent practice for the homeworks and exams). The attendance of those is mandatory, and a failure to attend will affect your grade. Really good excuses may be granted by the instructor, ahead of the time.

 

Teaching materials:

There is no assigned textbook, and our Library has many of them, including the following free electronic textbooks that you may find useful (requires Caltech Access login):

  • Lang, K., "Essential Astrophysics", Springer: Link. This is probably closest to the level and coverage for this class.
  • Karttunen, H., et al., "Fundamental Astronomy": Link. This may be a too high level for this class.
  • Fraknoi, A., Morrison, D., & Wolff, S., "Astronomy", Open Textbook Library: Link. May be too elementary for this class.

Generally, the videos of the lectures, the posted slides, and links and additional readings posted on the class website can be considered as an effective textbook for this class. Make an extensive use of the on-line resources, and Wikipedia in particular. Suggestions for additional links are more than welcome.

 

Grading scheme:

    40% In-person, proctored final. Details to be announced.
    30% Hybrid take-home and in-person, proctored midterm. Details to be announced.
    20% Weekly homeworks. Short and easy, you can collaborate.
    10% Recitation section attendance, -1% for each section missed.

The in-person, proctored midterm and final exams will be closed books/notes/internet/AI.  Only your brains.  We will provide tables of physical and astronomical constants.  

 

The homework will be posted on Fridays, and be due on the next Friday. There will be no homework assigned during the midterms and finals weeks. Late homework penalty (up to one week late): 50% of that homework's score. No homeworks will be accepted beyond 1 week past the due date. Excuses: Missed section and late homework penalties will be waived for documented health-related reasons. Other valid excuses may be accepted at the instructor's discretion.

 

Collaboration policy:

You can discuss homeworks with other students in the broad terms, but everyone has to do their own solutions. No collaboration is allowed for the midterm or final exams.

 

Special accommodations:

Students who need special accommodations (e.g., extra time for the exams, etc.) should let the Dean's Office know, and they will notify all of the relevant instructors.  We are here to help you learn.