Astrophysics: Frontiers and Controversies - Audio

Class begins with a review of the first problem set. Newton's Third Law is applied in explaining how exoplanets are foun... Read more

The formation of planets is discussed with a special emphasis on the bodies in the Solar System. Planetary differences b... Read more

The class begins with a discussion on transits – important astronomical events that help astronomers to find new planets... Read more

Professor Bailyn talks about student responses for a paper assignment on the controversy over Pluto. The central questio... Read more

Class begins with a review of the issues previously addressed about the origin and fate of the universe. The role of gra... Read more

Professor Bailyn returns to the subject of the expansion of the universe to offer explanations that do not require belie... Read more

The third and final part of the course begins, consisting of a series of lectures on cosmology. A brief history of how c... Read more

The lecture begins with a question-and-answer session about black holes. Topics include the extent to which we are sure ... Read more

Professor Bailyn begins with a summary of the four post-Newtonian effects of general relativity that were introduced and... Read more

The lecture begins with a comprehensive overview of the historical conditions under which Einstein developed his theorie... Read more