Modern Astronomy Course: The Lives of Stars
Astronomy. Reach for the stars.
COVID-19 update: arrangement of our courses
We are now delivering courses online and in-person. Please check the delivery format of each class before enrolling.
Please note that course materials (excluding prescribed texts) are shared electronically within 48 hours of course commencement. Printing is not available.
This astronomy course will provide you with the context to understand current astronomical research, such as the recent exciting announcement of the detection of gravitational waves from coalescing black holes.
Through a series of lectures, demonstrations and the extraordinary images flowing from telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope, we will build a picture of each stage in the life cycle of a star.
Born in the interstellar gas clouds, stars enjoy a long maturity controlled by the mysteries of quantum mechanics, before dying, sometimes quietly and sometimes with unbelievable violence.
Outcomes
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- describe the nature of stars and how they work
- appreciate how quantum mechanics governs the behaviour of stars
- describe the theories for the formation of stars and their solar systems, and the life cycle of stars
- identify the origin of the elements
- identify how astronomers use observations to construct theories of the universe
- put new discoveries, such as gravitational waves, into the context of current astronomical knowledge.
Content
Star types
We begin with a review of some basic concepts, then take a tour around the various types of stars.
Atoms and quantum mechanics: Introduction
We take a look at the smallest constituents of matter; as we will see, the strange realm of quantum mechanics and subatomic particles governs the behaviour of stars
What makes a star?
We look at how stars work, and what keeps them shining
The sun, a typical star
We compare what we’ve learned so far with observations of the star we can study best: our own Sun.
Star formation
We look at how stars form out of the giant interstellar gas clouds.
Stellar evolution
We look at what happens when stars run out of fuel, and examine the massive changes stars go through at the end of their lives.
Supernovae
We look at the violent ways that (some) stars end their lives; along the way, we discover the answer to how the heaviest elements are formed.
Stellar graveyards: White dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes
We look at the end products of stellar evolution: the remnants which are left behind.
Binaries
Most stars have at least one companion; we look at how binary star systems work.
The latest news
We cover various topics of recent interest.
Intended audience
Anyone wanting to know more about the universe.
Prerequisites
None
Delivery style
Delivered online via the platform Zoom through a series of lectures, demonstrations and detailed course notes. There is plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.
Materials
Any course materials are provided electronically.
Features
- Expert trainers
- Central locations
- Course materials – yours to keep
- CCE Statement of Completion
<p>{block name:“Course Tagline - Astronomy”}</p><p>{block name:“Block - COVID 19 updates”}</p><p>This astronomy course will provide you with the context to understand current astronomical research,
...When | Time | Where | Session Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Thu 22 Jul 2021 | 6:30pm - 8pm (UTC+10:00) | Online via Zoom - Online via Zoom | |
Thu 29 Jul 2021 | 6:30pm - 8pm (UTC+10:00) | Online via Zoom - Online via Zoom | |
Thu 05 Aug 2021 | 6:30pm - 8pm (UTC+10:00) | Online via Zoom - Online via Zoom | |
Thu 12 Aug 2021 | 6:30pm - 8pm (UTC+10:00) | Online via Zoom - Online via Zoom | |
Thu 19 Aug 2021 | 6:30pm - 8pm (UTC+10:00) | Online via Zoom - Online via Zoom | |
Thu 26 Aug 2021 | 6:30pm - 8pm (UTC+10:00) | Online via Zoom - Online via Zoom | |
Thu 02 Sep 2021 | 6:30pm - 8pm (UTC+10:00) | Online via Zoom - Online via Zoom | |
Thu 09 Sep 2021 | 6:30pm - 8pm (UTC+10:00) | Online via Zoom - Online via Zoom | |
Thu 16 Sep 2021 | 6:30pm - 8pm (UTC+10:00) | Online via Zoom - Online via Zoom | |
Thu 23 Sep 2021 | 6:30pm - 8pm (UTC+10:00) | Online via Zoom - Online via Zoom |
If there isn't a class to suit you, please join the waiting list.
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