Ideas

Harvard Account Sign In

Sign in with your HarvardKey to access my.Harvard Student, Teaching/Advising, Delegate, Harvard Chan, Admissions, and Admin.

Brown, MGH, & Tufts Students

Register for access to participate in Harvard cross-registration.

  1. Course Search
  2. ASTRON 16

Stellar and Planetary Astronomy
ASTRON 16

Course Information

Description

This course provides an introduction to the physical principles describing the formation and evolution of stars and their planetary companions. Topics include thermal radiation and stellar spectra; telescopes; energy generation in stars; stellar evolution; orbital dynamics; the Solar system; and exoplanets. This course includes an observational component: students will determine the distance to the Sun, and use the Clay Telescope atop the Science Center to study stellar evolution and detect exoplanets.

Course Notes

This course is offered each year.

School Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Credits 4
Cross Reg

Available for Harvard Cross Registration

Department Astronomy
Course Component Lecture
Subject Astronomy
Grading Basis FAS Letter Graded
Course Requirements Prerequisite: Physics 15a, Physics 16, or Physical Sciences 12a. May be taken concurrently.
General Education N/A
Quantitative Reasoning with Data N/A
Divisional Distribution Science & Engineering & Applied Science
Course Level Primarily for Undergraduate Students