Course Description
After touching upon an outline of astronomical observation, most lectures in this course are devoted to learning about astronomy as general education. (Note that observation methods are not a major topic.) Each session, we select one topic from research outcomes that have sparked discussion in the past few years and think deeply about the ideas and observed facts underpinning this topic. If an interesting discovery is made during the semester, we may cover it in a lecture, as appropriate. This course welcomes students from all fields who are interested in space.
Course Plan
"Revised sentences/proposed sentences of column L
The basis of astronomical observation lies in capturing various kinds of “light” that came from space. To begin, we learn about the history of astronomical observation and an outline of observation devices. Next, we pick up a topic for each session, from cosmology, the cosmic large scale structure of space, galaxies, our Galaxy on a large scale, to the solar system, Earth, and shooting star on a small (and more familiar) scale, and think deeply about astronomy as general education.
A. An invitation to observational astronomy
1. The history of observational astronomy: Orientation
B. Fundamental knowledge of observational astronomy: An outline of research institutes and observation facilities
2. Research institutes
3. Observation facilities and observation devices
4. The process of astronomical observation and data analysis
⇒ Students learn how astronomical research is conducted
C. Outcomes of observational astronomy: From cosmology to shooting star
5. The acceleratingly expanding universe
6. Observational evidence of the Big Bang
7. Ways to investigate intergalactic space
8. Giant black holes at the center of galaxies
9. Space-time ripples that echo through the universe
10. A three-dimensional view of distant galactic cores
11. Seeing the past with the echoes of supernova explosions
12. Exoplanets that travel backward compared to the rotation of the main star
13. Circular polarization and the origins of life on Earth
14. The atmospheric tunnel cut by shooting star
⇒ Students take a deep dive into a different topic in each session to think about specific research outcomes
(Some topics may change)
D. The future of observational astronomy
15. Plans for large telescopes and the expected outcomes; class questionnaire (15 minutes)
⇒ Students learn about observational astronomy in the future
E. Summary
16. Final test
⇒ A test will be held to confirm the level of understanding of the class.
* A questionnaire on the lecture content is conducted in each session. These questionnaires are published in aggregate the following week.
