Stars and the Milky Way
Audience
The course module will be deployed in Spring ‘21 as a series of group exercises and a problem set.
ASTR15 is an intro-level course, it is expected that about a third of the students will have at least some familiarity with Python/coding.
Other applicable courses that may benefit from this module:
The modules are designed with a specific application in Astronomy courses, but elements of the modules could be used in other Physics courses. If deployed in other Physics courses, additional background info would likely be needed for specific equations/concepts that the ASTR15 students are assumed to have been taught but other Physics courses would not necessarily have covered.
Project Summary
Primary Objective
The course module aims to introduce students to the way Astrophysicists manipulate data and perform analyses in Python with an emphasis on data visualization and plot interpretation.
Goals
Exercises designed so students interact with plots that require user input/information (actively engage with code)
Questions focused on the interpretation of plots and reinforce fundamental understanding of the data plotted
Additional documentation provided so students that want to use Python for their final project can read/learn about how the exercise was designed and the code that was written
Content Outline
Problem Set 1
Group Exercises
Relative scales and positions in the sky
The aim of this exercise is to learn more about the relative scales, positions on the sky, and observability of the objects.
Students will be using several common Python libraries in addition to Astronomy specific tools to plot celestial objects, observe their relative positions, and interpret meaning from their visualizations.
Orbits and gravity
The aim of this exercise is to get an intuitive handle on some properties of orbital mechanics. One significant figure is plenty for these calculations; be sure to use scientific notation and feel free to round at every opportunity.
Students will be learning about the three-body problem as well as using several common Python libraries to examine the orbital parameters for a dataset of comets and asteroids.
Stellar Evolution
The aim of this exercise is to learn more about stellar evolution through motion on the HR diagram.
Students will be using several common Python libraries in addition to Astronomy specific tools to visualize the HR diagram and interpret meaning from your visualizations.
Hot Jupiters
The aim of this exercise is to Review concepts of radial velocity through the exploration of a Hot Jupiter exoplanet.
Students will be using several common Python libraries in addition to Astronomy specific tools.
For more information email: difuse-pi-group@dartmouth.edu
