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Astronomy 161 - Introduction to Solar System Astronomy

Astronomy 161 - Introduction to Solar System Astronomy

Richard Pogge

Astronomy 161, Introduction to the Solar System, is the first quarter of a 2-quarter introductory Astronomy for non-science majors taught at The Ohio State University. This podcast presents audio recordings of Professor Richard Pogge's lectures from his Autumn Quarter 2007 class. All of the lectures were recorded live in 1000 McPherson Laboratory on the OSU Main Campus in Columbus, Ohio.

49 - Welcome to Astronomy 161 for Autumn Quarter 2007
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  • 49 - Welcome to Astronomy 161 for Autumn Quarter 2007

    Welcome to the Astronomy 161 Lecture Podcasts. This is a brief message from me explaining the podcasts, and welcoming new and old listeners. University. Lectures will begin on Wednesday, 2007 Sept 19, and run through Friday, 2007 Nov 30. New lectures will appear shortly before 6pm US Eastern Time each day there is a regular class. Recorded 2007 Sep 19 in 4037 McPherson Lab on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University.

    Wed, 19 Sep 2007
  • 48 - Lecture 01: Introduction to Astronomy 161

    What is Astronomy? What is Science? What is the course all about? Brief introductory remarks after going over course mechanics on the first day of Astronomy 161 for Autumn Quarter 2007. Recorded 2007 Sep 19 in 1000 McPherson Lab on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University.

    Wed, 19 Sep 2007
  • 47 - Lecture 02: Astronomical Numbers

    What are our units of measure in astronomy? To begin our exploration of astronomy, we first need to develop a common language for notating large numbers, and introduce the basic units of length, mass, and time that we will use throughout the quarter. This lecture is a quick review of scientific notation and the metric system. For measuring the vast distances in astronomy, we need to introduce two special units: the Astronomical Unit for interplanetary distances, and the Light Year for interstellar distances. We end with a discussion of mass and weight, and the distinction drawn in physical measurements that differs (a little) from everyday usage. Recorded 2007 Sep 20 in 1000 McPherson Lab on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University.

    Thu, 20 Sep 2007
  • 46 - Lecture 03: The Starry Night

    What are the constellations? We will review the most basic feature of the night sky, the 6000 visible stars sprinkled about the sky, and introduce the idea of constellations, reviewing their history and uses by various cultures. Recorded 2007 Sep 21 in 1000 McPherson Lab on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University.

    Fri, 21 Sep 2007
  • 45 - Lecture 04: Measuring the Earth

    What is the shape and size of the Earth? This lecture traces historical ideas about the shape of the Earth, from ancient ideas of a Flat-Earth to Aristotle's compelling demonstrations in the 3rd century BC that the Earth was a sphere. We then discuss two famous classical measurements of the circumference of the Earth by Eratosthenes of Cyrene in the 3rd century BC and Claudius Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD. Recorded 2007 Sep 24 in 1000 McPherson Lab on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University.

    Mon, 24 Sep 2007
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