In this second lecture of three in the Frontiers of Science unit on astronomy, Columbia University professor David Helfand explores the life history of a star, a biography encompassing millions of years, and how astrophysicists are able to trace stellar evolution. A lecture video and companion PowerPoint presentation are also available on FoSO.
In this second lecture video of three in the Frontiers of Science unit on astronomy, Columbia University professor David Helfand explores the life history of a star, a biography encompassing millions of years, and how astrophysicists are able to trace stellar evolution. A lecture transcript and companion PowerPoint presentation are also available on FoSO.
In this PowerPoint presentation, the second of three in the Frontiers of Science unit on astronomy, Columbia University professor David Helfand explores the life history of a star, a biography encompassing millions of years, and how astrophysicists are able to trace stellar evolution. A lecture video and transcript are also available on FoSO.
This assignment requires students to apply their understanding of galaxies, distance, the HR diagram, and the characteristics of stars (size, brightness, temperature) to a set of calculations and interpretations.
This assignment requires students to apply their understanding of galaxies, distance, the HR diagram, and the characteristics of stars (size, brightness, temperature) to a set of calculations and interpretations.
This assignment requires students to read and interpret Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagrams, showing the correlation between a star's temperature and its luminosity. Students will also gain experience with estimating the magnitude of error, identifying sources of error, identifying the limitations of particular methods of measurement, and interpreting logarithmic scales.
This assignment requires students to read and interpret Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagrams, showing the correlation between a star's temperature and its luminosity. Students will also gain experience with estimating the magnitude of error, identifying sources of error, identifying the limitations of particular methods of measurement, and interpreting logarithmic scales.
In this activity, students will explore types of galaxies, the evolution of galaxies with respect to their stellar populations, and where metals reside in different types of galaxies. Students will also relate their learning about galaxies to the HR diagram.
In this activity, students will explore types of galaxies, the evolution of galaxies with respect to their stellar populations, and where metals reside in different types of galaxies. Students will also relate their learning about galaxies to the HR diagram.
This assignment engages students with questions about the makeup and lifetime of stars. These questions also require students to apply their understanding of luminosity, the HR diagram, brightness, replication of results, correlation, and the nature of "hypothesis" and "proof."