Astronomy is the study of the Universe outside the Earth. Historically, Physics and Astronomy have had close ties. When seeking to describe the observed motions of the planets in the Solar System, Newton developed the laws of motion and the universal law of gravity. When Einstein developed his theory of relativity, which showed that mass can be converted to energy (E=mc2), this was used to explain the huge amounts of energy generated by the Sun and other stars.
There are two Astronomy courses currently taught at the University of the Pacific:
PHYS 41. Astronomy (4 unit course with labs, satisfying General Education Category III-A.) A broad overview of modern astronomy, with emphasis on conceptual understanding. Topics include constellations, motions of stars and planets, the solar system, stellar evolution, pulsars, black holes, quasars, galaxies and cosmology. The course includes some outdoor observing activities and laboratory work. Only elementary algebraic mathematical skills are needed. See the Fall 2003 web site for this course (offered every Fall).
PHYS 141. Astrophysics (4 units, no labs. Counts as an upper division Physics elective in the Physics and Engineering Physics Majors and the Physics Minor) Introduction to the physics of stars, galaxies and the universe. Topics include: observational properties of starlight, stellar structure, star formation and evolution, close binary stars, white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes, the Milky Way Galaxy, galactic dynamics, clusters of galaxies, quasars, cosmology and the big bang. Prerequisite: PHYS 55. See Harlow's web site for this course (offered in Fall 2003). The next time it will be taught is Fall 2005.
Astronomy research is being done by Dr. Jason Harlow, whose interests include nearby stars, binary and active stars, and Galactic pulsars.
Some UOP links:
Physics Department
Jason Harlow
PHYS 41 - Astronomy Web Page for Fall 2003
PHYS 141 - Astrophysics Web Page for Fall 2003
University of the Pacific
College of the Pacific (Arts and
Science Faculty at UOP)