ASTRONOMY 2201: THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE
FALL 2011
We're done for Fall 2011!
Riccardo, Martha, Luke and Michael wish you a Happy Holiday and a Cosmic 2012!
Astro 2201 presents a general discussion of how the universe has evolved since the Big
Bang era and how our understanding of it has changed from ancient to modern
times. Several main themes are covered over the course of the semester: the evolution
of our view of the sky from that of ancient cultures to
that of space telescopes; the formation and nature of black holes; dark matter
and dark energy; and the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe. Presents a
nonmathematical introduction to these subjects and discusses uncertainties and
unresolved issues in our understanding.
The course is designed for non-scientists who are intrigued about
astronomy, cosmology and how the universe works and who like to write.
- Look at the Astro 2201 frequently asked
questions for the whole semester.
- Take a look at the Cornell ExtraGalactic Group
EGG home page to find out what Professors Giovanelli and Haynes
does when they explore the universe, particularly in running
the Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA Survey.
If Riccardo or Martha look extra-sleepy today, he/she may have been observing
with the Arecibo telescope (remotely from here on campus) until the wee hours
of the morning.
- ALFALFA makes use of the Arecibo telescope; it is operated by Cornell as the
National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center
-- Perhaps you saw this
telescope in the movies "Golden Eye" or "Contact".
- Professor Giovanelli is the director of the
CCAT project, a submillimeter telescope to be built at an altitude of
18,000 feet in the high Atacama Desert of northern Chile.
- Professor Haynes is one of six
vice presidents of the
International Astronomical Union which has
spearheaded the International Year of
Astronomy 2009.
- Read about the National Radio
Astronomy Observatory, including
the GBT,
the VLA,
the VLBA and the
ALMA.
Perhaps, you saw the VLA in the film "Contact"?
Professor Haynes is a member of the AUI Board
which oversees NRAO.
- Check out some links
to interesting sites elsewhere.