Description
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.
A new podcast, Astronomy 141, Life in the Universe, is available
for those interested in continuing an exploration of topics in
modern astronomy.
Published 12/06/09
Are we alone in the Universe? This lecture explores the question of how
we might go about finding life on planets around other stars. Rather
than talking about speculative ideas, like the Drake Equation or SETI, I
am instead taking the approach of posing it as a problem of what to look
for...
Published 11/30/07