Galaxies are messy places, but we now know a lot about how they come to form, and how varied their ingredients can be. This non-mathematical course is for anyone with an interest in astronomy. Questions we will consider include: how our own Milky Way fits into the rich variety of galaxies in the Universe; how black holes, quasars and jets helped to shape the galaxies we see today; and what we are learning about galaxy behaviour from modern observatories and space missions, including via 'citizen science' projects in which the general public can contribute to galaxy research.
Course programme
Friday 27 November 2015
Please plan to arrive between 16:30 and 18:30. You can meet other course members in the bar which opens at 18:15. Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the study bedrooms.
19:00 Dinner
20:30 - 22:00 Introduction: what is a galaxy (and what isn't)?
22:00 Terrace bar open for informal discussion
Saturday 28 November 2015
07:30 Breakfast
09:00 - 10:30 The Milky Way - how typical is our own galaxy?
10:30 Coffee
11:00 - 12:30 Across the Universe: galaxies from 'near' to far
12:30 Free
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Free
16:00 Tea
16:30 - 18:00 Observing galaxies: from radio waves to X-rays
18:00 Free
18:30 Dinner
20:00 - 21:30 Restless galaxies: black holes, quasars and jets
21:30 Terrace bar open for informal discussion
Sunday 29 November 2015
07:30 Breakfast
09:00 - 10:30 The cosmic web: galaxy neighbourhoods
10:30 Coffee
11:00 - 12:30 Questions for future observations and space missions
12:30 Free
12:45 Lunch
The course will disperse after lunch
