Learning outcomes

This course aims at giving students general knowledge of modern astronomy, by inviting them to discover the architecture of the Universe, from the night sky to the cosmological landscape. It will provide students with minimal knowledge in astronomy for every scientist as well as glimpsing at present research topics. The course will also make the future researcher or teacher with the wonders of the night sky and its mysteries that she/he will study or share with others. This lecture also ambitions at giving students the passion and the basic tools of stargazing and amateur astronomy.

Content

The composition and architecture of the Universe form the guidelines of the lecture, accompanied by a reflexion on the notion of space and geometry that will eventually give rise to Big Bang theory. This quest takes the form of a journey toward the infinitely large, along the following topics: basic astronomy (celestial sphere, reference systems, Moon phases, seasons, apparent motions, etc.), the structure of the Universe, the Solar system and exoplanets, stars and Milky Way structures, galaxies and clusters, cosmology: cosmic expansion, the Hot Big Bang scenario, the concordance model.

The lecture's motto is the sentence of Arthur C. Clarke (paraphrasing Haldane): "The Universe is not only stranger than we imagine. It is stranger than we can imagine."

Table of contents

Structure of the theoretical talks:

- Basic astronomy, the night sky and structure of the Universe

- Solar systems and extra-solar planets

- Stars and various Milky Way structures

- Galaxies, clusters & far-away objects like quasars

- Modern cosmology (cosmic expansion, Hot Big Bang scenario and concordance model)

 

Assessment method

The participation to the lectures, and the observing sessions is mandatory and will be accounted for in the final mark.

Evaluation will be made through continuous assessment activities (quiz, preparation of night-sessions and animations, etc.). The final mark will be a compilation of all assessment activities. In case of failure, retake exams will be organised in June and August.

Sources, references and any support material

Any book about elementary astronomy available at the university library. Scientific and acknowledged reviews as well (Scientific american, Sky & Telescope, etc.). Websites of national agencies (NASA, ESA, ESO, STScI, etc.) will be favoured while others should be used carefully, with appropriate cross-checking.  Videos should only be considered as a complement and not as an exhaustive single source.

Language of instruction

Anglais