Physics for Astronomers is intended for teens and adults. This class is more technical than other sessions. Children will find it beyond their abilities. The class will be held as two 2-hour sessions. While this class is not required, it is recommended for those planning to become FDO docents.

You will want to print out Physics for Astronomers Materials. You may want to print out Orbits for Amateurs Materials as well. You may wish to examine the Astronomy and Physics Tables online, but you needn't bother to print them.

You may wish to try our Physics for Astronomers Exercises which reinforce your understanding. These are NOT tests and are not scored. If you have problems with them your instructor will try to help you understand.

Systeme Internationale (SI) Prefixes

Fundamental Units

Wavelengths and Frequencies

The Four Forces

• The four fundamental forces
• Gravity
• Electromagnetism
• Weak Nuclear Force
• Strong Nuclear Force

Elementary Particles

Atoms, Isotopes, Ions and Molecules

Nuclear Energy

• Nuclear fusion
• Hydrogen to Helium Fusion
• Carbon Cycle Fusion
• Helium Fusion and beyond
• You, me and star stuff

Orbital Calculations

Cosmology

• Highly speculative conjectures abound.
• Prior Steady State Theory has failed many important predictions.
• Big Bang with Inflation is Cosmology's Current Darling
• Far from being verified.
• Relies on several chains of reasoning which sound like fudge factors
• Reliance on cosmological red shift
• Age of stars are greater than the universe ! Inflation was created to solve this.
• Poor measurement tools -Cepheid variables, supernovae
• Mass of the universe
• Ultimate fate of the universe - open versus closed
• Curvature of the universe if any
• Fifth Force?
• Cosmological constant?
• Conflict between relativity and quantum mechanics
• String Theory resolution?

The Scientific Method

• Observations which can be duplicated are the basis of all science.
• Conjectures are speculations about the nature of an observed phenomena.
• Hypotheses are conjectures which propose a rational.
• Theories are hythothesis which propose new testable predictions.
• Laws are theories where every proposed testable prediction has been verified.
• Beliefs without substantiation (such as creationism) fall outside science.
• Beliefs (right or wrong) lacking tests and verification are not science.
• We endevor to provide the best scientific information available.
• Correcting well intentioned misinformation