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Podcast Profile: Astronomy 161 - Introduction to Solar System Astronomy

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47 episodes
2006 to 2009

Collection: Physics, Math, and Astronomy

Description (podcaster-provided):

Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):

This podcast, titled "Astronomy 161 - Introduction to Solar System Astronomy," serves as an audio archive of a lecture series by Professor Richard Pogge, taught at The Ohio State University in the Autumn Quarter of 2006. Designed primarily for non-science majors, the lectures offer a comprehensive introduction to various aspects of solar system astronomy.

The podcast begins with general introductory topics, laying a foundational understanding of astronomical units and the history of astronomy. Early episodes focus on basic astronomical concepts such as the metric system, the Astronomical Unit, and the Light Year, as well as the differentiation between mass and weight.

As the series progresses, the content delves into detailed discussions on the movements and features of celestial objects. Topics include the motions of celestial bodies like daily and annual movements, phases of the Moon, eclipses, and the determinants of seasonal changes on Earth. There is also significant coverage of historical astronomical theories, such as the geocentric and heliocentric models, and the developments brought forth by key figures like Aristotle, Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler, Galileo, and Isaac Newton.

The podcast transitions into explaining the physical and mathematical principles that govern the universe, covering Newton’s laws of motion, the universal law of gravitation, and the study of orbits and tides. It further explores the interactions of light and matter, introducing spectroscopy and the role of telescopes in astronomical observations.

The latter part of the series is devoted to a tour of the solar system, beginning with the Earth, its atmosphere, and geological features, before moving onto the Moon and the various planets. Each planet’s characteristics, such as surface features and atmospheric conditions, are discussed. The podcast also explores the intriguing details of moons, planetary rings, asteroids, meteoroids, comets, and the icy worlds of the outer solar system.

The content concludes with discussions on broader astronomical questions, such as the formation of the solar system, the definition of what constitutes a planet, and the search for exoplanets. Throughout the series, the podcast maintains a balance between theoretical frameworks and observational data, making it a thorough introduction to the fundamental topics in solar system astronomy.