Discovering our Universe

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Briefly describe our current understanding of Astronomy, including the formation and end of our Universe.
• Rank astronomical objects and phenomena in terms of their age, distance and energy.
• Understand the need for astronomers to observe the Universe in multiple wavelengths of light and the different astrophysical phenomena that produce this light.
• Summarise the History of Astronomy with reference to the work of a diverse range of astronomers.

Disciplinary Specific Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Describe a variety of examples where astronomical research has resulted in new technologies, specifically those that improve life on Earth.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Explain the concepts of the Big Bang, Dark Energy and Dark Matter.
• Differentiate between science and pseudo-science, specifically understanding the difference between astronomy and astrology.
• Research and analyse popular astronomy articles and summarise the main points.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Write and deliver a group presentation (skills includes: team work, presentation design and public speaking).
• Write an essay on an area of astronomy, correctly referenced throughout to scientific papers/sources.

• A Brief History of Astronomy from ancient times to modern day (highlighting a diverse range of astronomers and their work through the ages).
• The formation of our Solar System and the Moon and the Moon’s influence on Earth.
• The brightest constellations visible from the Northern Hemisphere and links to different cultures and astrology.
• Formation of the Northern Lights and the Sun/Earth connection.
• Life cycle of different sizes of star and how stars cluster together (open clusters, globular clusters & galaxies) and the approximate sizes and numbers involved.
• Extreme stars, compact objects and their formation (white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes).
• Different types of galaxies (including active galaxies).
• Scientific Justification for Black Holes, Dark Energy and Dark Matter.
• How the Universe formed in the Big Bang and the observational support for our current understanding.
• The possible ways for how the Universe ends.
• Light and spectroscopy, specifically it’s use in determining red shift.
• Understand the astrophysical phenomena that produce specific wavelengths of light and how these are observed.
• Current ground and space-based telescopes, and the need for multi-wavelength astronomy.
• Multi-messenger astronomy (discovering the Universe using not just light alone) e.g. neutrinos & gravitational waves.
• Astronomy research that has resulted in spin-outs and useful technology to humankind.

Lectures and group work

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.