ASTR 5570 - Galactic Astronomy and Stellar Populations

A core Astronomy course. Comprehensive survey of the components of the Milky Way, how astronomers have employed observations to infer its structure and extent, and how observations and analysis of stellar population have led to some of the most exciting astronomical discoveries made in the last century (and continue to be made today). Topics include an overview of the Milky Way as a galaxy (size, shape, age); astronomical measurements (positions, distances, magnitudes, colors); mapping the Milky Way (structures, kinematics, interstellar medium); stellar populations; formation and evolution of the Milky Way (stellar dynamics, chemical evolution); origin and distribution of the elements.