NOTE: Programs 105-108, 112-113, and 116-117 are not available for broadcast.
101. The Study of the Universe
This lesson takes students on a journey from planet Earth to distant galaxies and superclusters. It’s illustrated with stunning animation and photographs from NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and astronomical observatories. This journey introduces the planets, stars, and galaxies that will be presented and discussed throughout the course.
102. Observing the Sky
Explaining the concept of a scientific model, this lesson introduces the celestial sphere as a model to help describe and organize the night sky. Several specialists explain how different cultures named stars and constellations, and brought the aspects of the sky into their buildings and structures, such as those of Chaco Canyon in the southwestern United States.
103. Celestial Cycles
This program explains the motion of Earth around the sun and its yearly cycle. Astronomers explain the unique orbital and size relations between the rotation of Earth, the sun, and the moon and how this makes a total solar eclipse possible at predictable intervals, known as the Saros cycle. The lesson concludes with a description of the ecliptic and explains how that differs from constellations that are contained in the zodiac.
104. The Birth of Astronomy
A presentation on the foundations of astronomy, this program examines the observations, theories, and contributions of Aristotle, Ptolemy, and other ancient scientists and philosophers. Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Kepler, Galileo, and Sir Isaac Newton’s contributions are discussed throughout the lesson.
109. Stellar Births
The study of stellar evolution is presented by examining the birth of stars. Different types of nebulae are introduced and the necessary ingredients to produce a star: dust, gas, gravity, and maybe a little push are discussed. The mass-luminosity relation is reintroduced and suggests the role that mass will play in the life and death of a star.
110. Stellar Deaths
This lesson details the life and the death of stars. The fact that stars spend most of their lives on the main sequence consuming their nuclear fuel in a stable manner is detailed and illustrated, as well as how a star’s mass determines how quickly it consumes its fuel, how long it will live and how it will die. A presentation of the study of stellar remnants concludes the lesson.
111. Stellar Remnants
This program describes the fascinating objects that remain after the deaths of large stars, neutron stars and black holes. Gamma-ray bursts and hypernovae are presented as some of the most energetic objects in the universe.
114. Active Galaxies
The discussion of galaxies continues by focusing on a special group of galaxies with very energetic cores called active galaxies. Different types of active galaxies are introduced, from Seyfert galaxies and blazars to quasars.
115. Cosmology
Some of the most profound questions are asked and discussed in the complex subject of cosmology. What shape is the universe? How did it begin? How will it end? Evidence is presented that supports the big bang theory, and the notion of dark energy is introduced.
118. The Jovian Worlds
This lesson begins with an explanation of the processes that allowed the planets in this part of the solar system to grow to such large sizes. How the gravity of Jupiter produces tidal heating of Io and Europa, causing the extensive volcanic activity on Io and a liquid ocean beneath the surface of Europa is explained. Saturn’s interior and atmosphere are compared with those of Jupiter. The formation and characteristics of the ice giants Uranus and Neptune are also discussed.
