Size and time scales. Historical astronomy. Astronomical instrumentation. Stars: spectra and classification. Stellar structure equations and survey of stellar evolution. Stellar oscillations. Degenerate and collapsed stars; radio pulsars. Interacting binary systems; accretion disks, x-ray sources. Gravitational lenses; dark matter. Interstellar medium: HII regions, supernova remnants, molecular clouds, dust; radiative transfer; Jeans' mass; star formation. High-energy astrophysics: Compton scattering, bremsstrahlung, synchrotron radiation, cosmic rays. Galactic stellar distributions and populations; Oort constants; Oort limit; and globular clusters.

The ASPIRE Lab is now one of the most innovative and interactive science education websites available on the Internet. You will find not only fun interactive labs, but well designed and produced curriculum content, created by teachers for teachers. The powerful combination of inquiry-based content, along with interactive, hands-on labs provides a powerful visualization tool for you and your students to use. Best of all, the ASPIRE Lab is free!

This site features Java Applet, QuickTime, and Flash animations that illustrate characteristics and functions of the atmosphere. They show how atmospheric temperature, pressure, and density change with respect to changing altitude, the way different kinds of radiation (x-ray, ultraviolet, visible, and infrared) act in various levels of the atmosphere (troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere/ionosphere), how oxygen gas and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) interact with ultraviolet radiation to create and deplete ozone, and the manner in which radiation is trapped in the atmosphere, causing the greenhouse effect and global warming. The animations can be paused and rewound to stress important points. These resources are suitable for use in lectures, labs, or other teaching activities.

This educational brief provides an overview of the concepts of radioactivity, basic particle physics, and the use of radioactive decay as a mechanism to date our galaxy.

These interactive lessons teach about Cosmic Rays by emphasizing the mystery that Cosmic Rays presented to early scientists. The scientific inquiries and investigations that Cosmic Rays prompted are interesting and important to understanding the way science works. Cosmic Rays are now being studied at research sites around the world. Much has been learned from early experiments and even more is being discovered with modern experiments, but many questions have yet to be answered.

Quantitative introduction to physics of the solar system, stars, interstellar medium, the Galaxy, and Universe, as determined from a variety of astronomical observations and models. Topics: planets, planet formation; stars, the Sun, "normal" stars, star formation; stellar evolution, supernovae, compact objects (white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes), plusars, binary X-ray sources; star clusters, globular and open clusters; interstellar medium, gas, dust, magnetic fields, cosmic rays; distance ladder; galaxies, normal and active galaxies, jets; gravitational lensing; large scaling structure; Newtonian cosmology, dynamical expansion and thermal history of the Universe; cosmic microwave background radiation; big-bang nucleosynthesis. No prior knowledge of astronomy necessary. Not usable as a restricted elective by physics majors.

This course includes Quantitative introduction to physics of the solar system, stars, interstellar medium, the Galaxy, and Universe, as determined from a variety of astronomical observations and models. Topics: planets, planet formation; stars, the Sun, "normal" stars, star formation; stellar evolution, supernovae, compact objects (white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes), plusars, binary X-ray sources; star clusters, globular and open clusters; interstellar medium, gas, dust, magnetic fields, cosmic rays; distance ladder; galaxies, normal and active galaxies, jets; gravitational lensing; large scaling structure; Newtonian cosmology, dynamical expansion and thermal history of the Universe; cosmic microwave background radiation; big-bang nucleosynthesis. No prior knowledge of astronomy necessary. Not usable as a restricted elective by physics majors.

These classroom activities cover topics such as sunspots, the solar wind, magnetic storms, auroras, satellite design, and impacts of solar activity on humans. Included are materials lists, instructions, concluding concepts, and links to related topics