Foundations of Astronomy: Origin, Structure and Evolution of the Universe
From the celestial sphere over Issyk-Kul to the birth and fate of the whole Universe
Big Idea: Astronomy applies the same physics you have studied for four years — gravity, waves, spectra, nuclear reactions and relativity — to the largest objects that exist. Light is our only messenger: by measuring the direction, brightness, colour and spectrum of light we deduce the distance, temperature, composition, motion, age and future of stars and galaxies we can never touch.
By the end you will be able to:
- use the celestial sphere and the astronomical distance ladder (AU, light-year, parsec, parallax);
- apply Kepler's laws and the nebular hypothesis to the Solar System;
- read a Hertzsprung–Russell diagram and describe how a star lives and dies;
- state Hubble's law and the evidence for the Big Bang and the expanding Universe;
- explain why space research matters.