Week 3

Overview:

This week we will be studying the nature of light and how we collect information about the stars using light. You will learn how the spectrum of light observed can let us know about the composition of objects and other physical parameters. You will read about the composition of an atom. You will also learn about the astronomical telescope and the different designs we use.

Chapter 5: Atoms, Light, and Spectra

- Describe the basic structure of an atom, including different kinds of atoms, and the nature of electron shells
- Explain the interaction of light and matter, including the excitation of atoms and radiation from a heated object, and describe the relationship between temperature, wavelength of maximum intensity, and total radiated energy
- Describe the appearance, origin, and characteristics of continuous, emission, and absorption spectra, including the visible and non-visible spectrum of hydrogen
- Explain spectral classification and how the appearance of a spectrum indicates stellar temperature and composition
- Explain what spectra indicate about the speed and direction of stellar motions as revealed by the Doppler Effect

Chapter 6: Telescopes

- Describe the nature of electromagnetic radiation, explain its characteristics at different wavelengths, and discuss how this influences the way Astronomers make observations
- Compare and contrast the different optical telescope designs, including their relative advantages and disadvantages
- Describe the advantages of placing telescopes in space and the types of observations they are designed to make