UOSM2046: Discovering Our Universe

New optional module starting Semester 2: January 2024 – Open to all continuing students across the University of Southampton.

For more information on the new module lead/lecturer, Dr Sadie Jones, go to the ‘About’ page.

Educational Aims

The aim of the course is to convey the conceptual ideas of our universe to students with no formal physics training. We will progress from Big Bang to our current understanding of the Universe. This journey starts in our Solar System and ends with discovering the most distant object in the Universe, Quasars. Students will also learn how astronomical sources, such as Black Holes and Supernova are observed and the differences between Dark Energy and Dark Matter. Finally, they will learn how astronomy research has resulted in useful technologies here on Earth. With their new understanding of our Universe and the scientific justifications for what astronomers observe, the students will be equipped to critique astronomy news and explain the physics of our Universe.The course is designed for students who do not have an A-level in physics or maths.

Marketing Module Synopsis

• Briefly describe our current understanding of Astronomy, including the formation and end of our Universe.
• Rank astronomical objects and phenomena in terms of their age, distance and energy.
• Understand the need for astronomers to observe the Universe in multiple wavelengths of light and the different astrophysical phenomena that produce this light.
• Summarise the History of Astronomy with reference to the work of a diverse range of astronomers.
• Form coherent arguments relating to current astronomy research.
• Analyse popular astronomy articles and summarise the main points.
• Explain the concepts of the Big Bang, Black Holes, Dark Energy and Dark Matter.
• Describe a variety of examples where astronomical research has resulted in new technologies, specifically those that improve life on Earth.

Outline Syllabus

• A Brief History of Astronomy from ancient times to modern day (highlighting a diverse range of astronomers and their work through the ages).
• The formation of our Solar System and the Moon and the Moon’s influence on Earth.
• The brightest constellations visible from the Northern Hemisphere and links to different cultures and astrology.
• Formation of the Northern Lights and the Sun/Earth connection.
• Life cycle of different sizes of star and how stars cluster together (open clusters, globular clusters & galaxies) and the approximate sizes and numbers involved.
• Extreme stars, compact objects and their formation (white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes).
• Different types of galaxies (including active galaxies).
• Scientific Justification for Black Holes, Dark Energy and Dark Matter.
• How the Universe formed in the Big Bang and the observational support for our current understanding.
• The possible ways for how the Universe ends.
• Light and spectroscopy, specifically it’s use in determining red shift.
• Understand the astrophysical phenomena that produce specific wavelengths of light and how these are observed.
• Current ground and space-based telescopes, and the need for multi-wavelength astronomy.
•Multi-messenger astronomy (discovering the Universe using not just light alone) e.g. neutrinos & gravitational waves.
• Astronomy research that has resulted in spin-outs and useful technology to humankind.

Assessment

Article 10%, Essay 40%, Group Presentation 25%, Multiple Choice Exam 25%

Draft LECTURE TOPICS

Intro lecture
History of Astronomy – astronomers through the ages
The Night Sky – observing planets, moon, comets,Sun, Moon, constellations, different cultures & astrology
Lecture in the Soton Astrodome mobile planetarium
Formation of the Northern Lights and Aurora Zoo
Inner Solar system (interesting planets and their moons)
Outer solar system
Exoplanets & Life in our Universe
Stellar Evolution: Life cycle of stars (star types – HR diagrams)
Neutron stars, White dwarfs and Black holes
Galaxy types & galaxy structure & Dark Matter
Active Galactic Nuclei
Our Milky Way and Andromeda – Cephids & blue/red shift
Supernova & Dark Energy
Big Bang, Modern Cosmology and Fate of the Universe
Visible light and Spectroscopy and red shift
Short wavelength astronomy – X-ray , gamma & UV
Long wavelength astronomy – radio, CMB & IR
Astronomy research that has resulted in useful spin-outs
Modern Telescopes
Multi-wavelength astronomy e.g. jet physics
Multi-messenger astronomy: gravitational waves & neutrinos
Our place in our Universe
Revision lecture
Revision lecture