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.
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."
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) The stargazing sessions will follow this structure (Solar system ; stars and Milky Way nebulae and clusters ; galaxies)
The participation to the observing sessions is mandatory and will be accounted for in the final mark. In addition, the students will be asked to write a short but rigorous popularization paper on an astronomical topic of their choice. The paper can also present a personal observation project of the students. Students are encourage to develop a small "research project" at the observatory, on good imaging of nigh-sky objects or taking measurements (photometry, variables stars, exoplanets or asteroids, spectroscopy, astrometry), searching for transients (novae and supernovae, asteroids, etc.), monitoring of satellites or space debris, etc. The students can work individually or in groups of 2-3 people max. An additional oral defense can be necessary if the student's manuscript is too weak.
Any book about elementary astronomy available at the university library. Scientific and acknowledged reviews as well (Scientific american, Sky & Telescope, etc.). Websites should be used carefully, with appropriate cross-checking. Videos should only be considered as a complement and not as an exhaustive single source.
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Physics | Standard | 0 | 2 | |
| Bachelor in Mathematics | Standard | 0 | 2 | |
| Bachelor in Physics | Standard | 2 | 2 | |
| Bachelor in Mathematics | Standard | 2 | 2 |