Astronomy and Astrophysics

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Astronomy and Astrophysics - YEAR 10 (a semester elective unit) Subject Description Astronomy and Astrophysics have, and continue to, play an important part in human life. From the earliest civilisations Astronomy was used as a way to predict seasons and to measure the passage of time. In modern times Astrophysics is being used to probe the origins of the universe and extra terrestrial life in addition to helping us understand our place in the universe. The Astronomy and Astrophysics course will cover the history of Astronomy with an emphasis on the development of scientific theories of the universe, how new observations have challenged previous scientific theories and led to our current understanding of the structure of the universe. The course will also cover: Astronomical coordinates and distances, using star maps to find objects in the night sky, the lifecycle of stars and the formation of solar systems, galaxies, the expanding universe and redshift, Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation and recent research in the area of Astrophysics. Students will have an opportunity to do an in-depth research project on a topic of their choice in the area of Astrophysics, this could include Black Holes, Dark Matter and Energy, Supernova or the shape of the Universe. Students are exposed to a range of careers which helps them make informed choices about jobs and further study opportunities as well as the role Australia plays in this area of science. Learning Outcomes: * Students will learn how scientific theories and formed, challenged, changed and adapted over time * Students will learn to locate and identify objects in the night sky * Students will learn about the formation and life cycles of various astronomical objects * Students will further develop their research skills This subject will include observations of the night sky to be

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