우주 과학: 천체물리학에서 외계생물학까지

This 9-week course provides an introduction to Astronomy and Exobiology, with examples drawn from objects that are often readily recognizable to most people.  We will start a discussion of "what's out there?" in the Interstellar Medium.  Then, we will move to star formation and discuss the different stellar classes and how each class of star has a notably different "life."  After this, we will discuss the formation of planets and the migration of some planets from their location of formation to a permanent orbit.

The next section of the course will explore the Solar System, with discussions of axial tilts, terraforming, possible resource extraction, and exploration.  We will examiner unique features of numerous planets and moons, and discuss locations that scientists believe are most likely to harbor life.

We will then discuss life in the universe, from simple single-cell life to advanced civilizations.  We will examine the requirements for life and the ways in which our thinking has changed on this topic.  We will then look at Alien Civilization scales and ways in which hypothetical civilizations might expand their ability to harness power, including through the use of Dyson Structures.  We will also discuss the ways in which scientists are looking for evidence of life.

We will then move to a discussion of nebulae and galaxies (with many photos from the Hubble, James Webb, and other telescopes), galactic clusters, and galactic interactions.

We will conclude with a discussion of space flight, focusing on current and future missions.