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University of Washington
Astronomy Department


Astronomy 211 / Winter 2009
The Universe and Change

A liberal-arts, introductory cosmology course specifically for non-science majors

{{ Class Syllabus || Course Calendar || Assignments and Due Dates || Course Pack || Lectures || Gradebook || Relevant Web Links }}
EscherInstructor
Dr. Ana M. Larson, Senior Lecturer
larson -at- astro.washington.edu
Office Hours: M 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Room C335, PAB
Class Times : M W 1:30 - 2:50 pm, F 1:30 - 3:20 pm, PAA A216

Omega

Required Text and Reading:

  • Einstein's Universe: Gravity at Work and Play, A. Zee (Oxford University Press, 1989, 2001)
  • Cosmology: A Cosmic Perspective Chapters 1 - 7, 15; Prof. Paul Boynton
  • Cosmology 101 from NASA (additional background)
  • Class Lecture Notes
Syllabus
Calendar
Assignments
CoursePack
Lectures
Gradebook
Cool Web Links
Boynton: Chapter 1
Motion in a circle concentric with the Earth does not allow the Moon to change sizes. The fact that it DOES change sizes was problematic for Aristotle, Aristarchus, and others. See for yourself! Read about the phases of the Moon and watch the Lunation Movie linked at the bottom of that page.
Boynton: Chapter 2
Pythagoras and Music of the Spheres
Heliocentric model Java demonstration showing retrograde motion of Mars
McGraw Hill index of Quick-Time animations
Boynton: Chapter 3
Ancient Planetary Model Animations [Displaying seems to be quite browser dependent.]
Models of Planetary Motion from Antiquity to the Renaissance
Aughra's model of the universe from Dark Crystal
Statue Hid Hipparchus Star Catalog Physics Today
Boynton: Chapter 4
de Revolutionibus scanned in its entirety and on-line
Copernican Model, A Sun-Centered Solar System
Nicholas Copernicus
Copernican Myths Physics Today
Comprehensive Course from Thales to Einstein
Boynton: Chapter 5
The Galileo Project
Tycho Brahe, Danish astronomer
Links to all things Kepler (Wikipedia)
YouTube selection from Sagan's Cosmos Brahe, Kepler, and Kepler's Laws
Boynton: Chapter 6
Isaac Newton Resources
Newton's Mountain-top Cannon
The Apollo 15 Feather-Hammer Drop "Galileo was correct!"