Astronomy 14 – Astrophysics: Solar System and Cosmology

Prof. David Cohen

Spring 2018
Tu., Th. 2:40 to 3:55
SC L32


 

saturn blue and gold hubble deep field Comet 67P

 


This site dates from spring 2018, the last time this course was offered
It will next be offered in spring 2019


   


 

Announcements

posted 5/11

There will be a review session from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday, May 14 (in either Prof. Cohen's lab (124) or SC 128). New: the review session will be held in the seminar room (SC 113).

posted 5/7

You've got a short, optional homework to work on (due Friday). Mid-week I'll announce a review session for our exam, which is on Wednesday morning, the 16th, in SC L32.


Archive of old announcements


Assignments

posted 5/11

The final exam will be open book, and comprehensive but weighted toward cosmology. Read this information about the exam [pdf].


Archive of old assignments


Upcoming Events

The department has regular talks – colloquia – given by visiting scientists. Check the department colloquium schedule to see the list of talks. You'll find titles and descriptions of the talks, which are generally on Fridays at lunchtime. We will have quite a few this semester, though most of them will be on physics topics, rather than astronomy. Attending these talks is a great way to find out what's going on today at the cutting edge of science and also how scientists go about defining a research question and then answering it.

 

Class Information

Prof. Cohen's office hours

Exam week (5/14-18): Monday's office hours are 2:00 to 3:15, and there are special Tuesday office hours from 4:30 to 5:30, as well as the review session from 5 to 6 on Monday.

Prof. Cohen's office is SC 125 and his lab is SC 124, right across the hall; Ms. Klassen's office is one floor below, in SC L36

A syllabus [pdf] with information about the class as well as a schedule of topics, reading, labs, and exams (updated 1/18) is available – note that it will be periodically updated

Please also read these guidelines about the class [pdf], including rules for the classroom but also information about the growth mindset and about equity and inclusion

Resources

Astronomy Picture of the Day

using your hands to measure angles

 

gravity simulator

Planet Crash

a Java-free orbit simulator

observatory website

department website

 

 



This page is maintained by David Cohen
dcohen1 -at- swarthmore.edu

Last modified: June 21, 2018