Good astronomy sit-in class?
01-13-2011 at 02:59 PM
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#1
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Good astronomy sit-in class?
I was wondering if McMaster has a good course on Deep Space Astronomy stuff that doesn't deal with too much of the mathematics. I have an interest in this stuff and I was hoping to find lectures that fit into some gaps in my schedule so I could just hop in class and have a listen, not do any of the work.
Was hoping someone had some insight on the courses that would deal with more theoretical stuff of space and not the calculations of planets orbiting in our own solar system.
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01-13-2011 at 03:12 PM
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#2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bumchoda
I was wondering if McMaster has a good course on Deep Space Astronomy stuff that doesn't deal with too much of the mathematics. I have an interest in this stuff and I was hoping to find lectures that fit into some gaps in my schedule so I could just hop in class and have a listen, not do any of the work.
Was hoping someone had some insight on the courses that would deal with more theoretical stuff of space and not the calculations of planets orbiting in our own solar system.
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there was origins 2b03 last semester, you can take it next year |
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01-13-2011 at 07:30 PM
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#3
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astro 1f03 is pretty good. besides that origins 2b03. Every other astronomy based course has math.
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01-13-2011 at 08:31 PM
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#4
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mcmaster also has a planetarium with showings, however you have to book the tickets in advance
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01-13-2011 at 08:46 PM
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#5
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Taking Astro 2E03 right now, it's somewhat heavy on the math/physics I believe but a lot of it is just genuinely cool stuff.
Never before have I actually read a textbook BECAUSE I WANTED TO
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01-13-2011 at 09:22 PM
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#6
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I've always wanted to take an Astro class but could never fit it into my timetable :(
I may do this aswell lol
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01-13-2011 at 09:30 PM
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#7
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I would take astronomy as an elective, but I'm pretty sure I could learn quite a lot in about a day spent on wikipedia.
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01-13-2011 at 10:17 PM
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#8
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Unfortunately, understanding astronomy requires (or at least, seems to require) an understanding of math, as math is really the primary language of astronomy. So, without it, you'll just be getting random "cool" facts, a la 'Big Questions' and not very much actual understanding. Kind of like trying to read English philosophy without understanding much English...
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01-13-2011 at 11:15 PM
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#9
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light is the primary language of astronomy  It is how the universe communicates to us.
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01-13-2011 at 11:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ReDorkulateD
mcmaster also has a planetarium with showings, however you have to book the tickets in advance
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OHH! What are the shows like? |
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01-14-2011 at 12:00 AM
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#11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phln3
OHH! What are the shows like?
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out of this world...?
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01-14-2011 at 12:11 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mahratta
Unfortunately, understanding astronomy requires (or at least, seems to require) an understanding of math, as math is really the primary language of astronomy. So, without it, you'll just be getting random "cool" facts, a la 'Big Questions' and not very much actual understanding. Kind of like trying to read English philosophy without understanding much English...
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I have taken my fair share of math courses, so I wasn't too worried about that, I just didn't want to go to lectures where they spent the entire time talking about some gravitational equation. Thanks for all of the input though, I'll definitely be looking into some of these courses for next year, too bad I cant use these at my electives though. |
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01-14-2011 at 12:38 AM
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#13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kendoon
Taking Astro 2E03 right now, it's somewhat heavy on the math/physics I believe but a lot of it is just genuinely cool stuff.
Never before have I actually read a textbook BECAUSE I WANTED TO
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Oh no I just recently dropped this course. Had I known that KENDOON was in it, I'd have kept it =(.
I sold my textbook already too =(
I found this course to be the exact same as astron 1f03.....and the prof just used the slides from a much more famous professor: Dr. Reid. |
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01-14-2011 at 12:52 AM
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#14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xxsumz
out of this world...?
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Are  provided to experience this or do you have to bring your own? |
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01-14-2011 at 06:44 AM
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#15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phln3
OHH! What are the shows like?
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i don't know i've only been to the planetarium night that the origins society held, they might be having another one this year, i'll probably post it on macinsiders when i hear more about it. the tickets for the usual showings go pretty fast since there's only like 20-30 seats |
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