Analyzing the Universe

Informações sobre o curso

Using publicly available data from NASA of actual satellite observations of astronomical x-ray sources, we explore some of the mysteries of the cosmos, including neutron stars, black holes, quasars and supernovae. We will analyze energy spectra and time series data to understand how these incredible objects work. We utilize an imaging tool called DS9 to explore the amazing diversity of astronomical observations that have made x-ray astronomy one of the most active and exciting fields of scientific investigation in the past 50 years. Each week we will explore a different facet of x-ray astronomy. Beginning with an introduction to the nature of image formation, we then move on to examples of how our imaging program, DS9, can aid our understanding of real satellite data. You will using the actual data that scientists use when doing their work. Nothing is "canned". You will be able to appreciate the excitement that astronomers felt when they made their important discoveries concerning periodic binary x-ray sources, supernovae and their remnants, and extragalactic sources that have shaped our understanding of cosmology.

cursos 100% online

Comece imediatamente e aprenda em seu próprio cronograma.

Nível iniciante

Approx. 27 hours to complete

Sugerido: 6 weeks of study, 5 hours per week

English

Legendas: English

cursos 100% online

Comece imediatamente e aprenda em seu próprio cronograma.

Nível iniciante

Approx. 27 hours to complete

Sugerido: 6 weeks of study, 5 hours per week

English

Legendas: English

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

1

Section

4 hours to complete

Light and the Nature of Images....Plus, an Introduction to DS9

Welcome to Week 1 of "Analyzing the Universe!" This week we explore the nature of light, and how we get astronomical information from the images we obtain. The lectures and "wiki" material address these themes: light, image formation, and DS9. Dive right in! ...

7 videos (Total 87 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

7 videos

Course Overview4m

Lecture 1 The Nature of Images 13m

Lecture 2 Image Formation 14m

Lecture 3 Skipping Stones and X-ray Images 10m

Lecture 4 The Perception of Images 17m

Lecture 5 Introduction to DS9--Part I 6m

Lecture 6 Introduction to DS9--Part II 20m

4 readings

Introduction10m

Syllabus10m

Light and the Nature of Images. Plus, an introduction using DS910m

Week 1 Wiki0m

1 practice exercises

Quiz 1: Week 10m

2

Section

4 hours to complete

Basic Astronomical Data and a DS9 Smorgasbord

Welcome to week two of "Analyzing the Universe". This week we will be exploring some of the means we have at our disposal to find out many things about the stars. It is really quite incredible that these tiny pinpoints of light can yield so much information about their nature and about the structure of the Universe as a whole. And if this is your first visit to the course, welcome and jump right in! ...

5 videos (Total 109 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

5 videos

Week 2 - Lecture 1 The DS9 Smorgasbord--Part I 23m

Lecture 2 The DS9 Smorgasbord--Part II 24m

Lecture 3 "Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics" 20m

Lecture 4 Atomic Spectra, the Fingerprints of the Stars 11m

Lecture 5 The Cosmic Distance Scale -- Part I 27m

2 readings

DS9 and Astronomical Data10m

Week 2 Wiki0m

1 practice exercises

Quiz 2: Week 20m

3

Section

3 hours to complete

Stellar Evolution and White Dwarfs

This week is our first in-depth look at an x-ray source, and it involves a white dwarf in a binary system. So sharpen up your detective skills, keep your copy of DS9 at the ready, and let's get down to business. It should be an exciting week....

4 videos (Total 67 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

4 videos

Week 3- Lecture 1 Putting It All Together-- The HR Diagram 15m

Lecture 2 Of GK-Per and White Dwarfs, Part 1 16m

Lecture 3 Of GK-Per and White Dwarfs, Part 2 20m

Lecture 4 Of GK-Per and White Dwarfs, Part 3 13m

2 readings

GK Per -- An in depth analysis10m

Week 3 Wiki0m

1 practice exercises

Quiz 3: Week 30m

4

Section

4 hours to complete

Orbits, Gravity, and Clocks in the Sky

This week we turn our attention to another fascinating cosmic source, discovered in the infancy of x-ray astronomy: Cen X-3. In so doing, we will see how binary stars can determine and influence many of the interesting and surprising features of our observations....

7 videos (Total 113 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

7 videos

Week 4 - Lecture 1 Orbits 23m

Lecture 2 A Matter of Some Gravity 16m

Lecture 3 Of Hummingbirds, Trains and The Doppler Shift 12m

Lecture 4 Clocks in the Sky-- Cen X-3, Part 1--Exosat 14m

Lecture 5 Clocks in the Sky-- Cen X-3, Part 2 14m

Lecture 6 Clocks in the Sky-- Cen X-3, Part 3 15m

Lecture 7 Clocks in the Sky--Cen X-3, Part 4--Chandra 15m

2 readings

Clocks in the Sky10m

Week 4 Wiki0m

1 practice exercises

Quiz 4: Week 40m

5

Section

3 hours to complete

Supernovae, Our Cosmic Recycling Centers

This week, we will be examining supernovae, and their remnants. These fascinating objects are the breeding grounds for future stars, and were the sources of virtually all the atoms that make up our solar neighborhood. Every atom of calcium in every bone in your body, for example, was once shot out of a supernova, billions of years ago. ...

2 videos (Total 35 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

2 videos

Week 5 - Lecture 1 Cosmic Recycling Centers and Cas-A, Part 1 14m

Lecture 2 Cosmic Recycling Centers and Cas-A, Part 2: "Color it X-ray" 20m

2 readings

Cosmic Recycling Centers10m

Week 5 Wiki0m

1 practice exercises

Quiz 5: Week 50m

6

Section

4 hours to complete

To the Ends of the Universe; Quasars, 3C273, and beyond

This week we wrap things up with trips to galaxies and exotic objects, seen long ago and far away. The mysterious quasars provide clues about the way our Universe is evolving in time. They are incredible objects (actually, come to think of it, what isn't incredible in the x-ray sky?) discovered almost exactly a half century ago, quite by accident. We will explore the astonishingly prodigious x-ray output of 3C 273, one of the nearest ones, at a mere 2.5 billion light years away. ...

5 videos (Total 82 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

5 videos

Week 6 - Lecture 1 The Time Machine, Part 1 7m

Lecture 2 The Time Machine, Part 2 23m

Lecture 3 The Time Machine, Part 3 9m

Lecture 4 The Time Machine, Part 4 20m

Lecture 5 To the Ends of the Universe: The Cosmic Distance Scale -- Part II 20m

3 readings

Coming into the home stretch10m

Week 6 Wiki0m

Wrapping it all up10m

1 practice exercises

Quiz 6: Week 60m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I pay for this course?
If you pay for this course, you will have access to all of the features and content you need to earn a Course Certificate. If you complete the course successfully, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. Note that the Course Certificate does not represent official academic credit from the partner institution offering the course.
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Analyzing the Universe