AST121 -- The Origin and Evolution of the Universe (Spring 2018)
Textbook:
Foundations of Modern Cosmology, by J. Hawley & K. Holcomb, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press, 2005 (hereafter HH), link at UofT elibrary
Optional reading (on reserve in the Gerstein science library)
1) The Physical Universe, An Introduction to Astronomy, by Frank Shu
2) Quarks, Leptons and the Big Bang, by Jonathan Allday
3) Just six numbers: the deep forces that shape the universe, by Martin Rees
Supplementary readings:
Introduction to the Universe
HH§1,2, also Shu §1, Rees §1
Nature of Matter
Shu §3.1, Allday §1, §7.4, §11, Rees §3
Nature of Light
Shu §2.2, §3.2, §4.3, Allday §2.4, §3.1, 3.2, 3.6.5, 3.6.6, 3.7.3
Nature of Space & Time
optional HH chap. 7, also Shu §3.3, Allday §13 , Shu §15.2, Rees §10
Dark Matter
HH§15 (also Shu §12.1, 12.2, Allday §14)
Expansion of the Universe & Dark Energy
HH§10,11, 13 (for a slightly different narrative, see Allday §15.3, Rees §6, §7)
Big Bang & Cosmic Microwave Background
big bang: HH§12,14, (also Shu §16, Allday §12)
inflation: HH§16 (also Allday §15, Rees §8)
Origin of Complexity: galaxies
HH§ 15 (also Shu §12.1, Rees §5, 9)
Origin of Complexity: stars, planets & life
HH§5, (also Shu §18.1, 18.3, §20.1, 20.3, Rees §2, 4)
course review
