Is there life beyond the Earth? How common might life be? Millions of dollars are spent by the Australian government and other countries each year on space exploration, so what do we actually learn from modern day telescopes and satellites? In this course, students will explore an introduction to the Universe and the study of astronomy. There is much that is unanswered in astronomy, and during the course students will venture into current open questions and topics of active research in astronomy. Students will gain a qualitative introduction to the physics of the universe from scales ranging to our Solar System and extrasolar planets to the origin and ultimate fate of the Universe, gaining an understanding and appreciation both of what is known about the Universe and the techniques scientists use to make discoveries. Students will also gain experience in effectively communicating knowledge to different audiences and in how to separate science fact from science fiction.  

Topics to be covered include: astronomical techniques, the history of astronomy across cultures, the Big Bang and beginnings of the Universe, formation and evolution of galaxies, the origin of life on Earth and search for life elsewhere, stellar structure and evolution, planet formation, black holes, and compact objects.

This course is intended primarily as a general education subject with no assumed prior knowledge. Students wishing to proceed on to PHYS2116 and PHYS3116, or with a good prior background in physics and astronomy, may instead wish to take PHYS1116 Astrophysics, which is a more technical version of the subject intended for physics majors and science students.