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Search for Life in the Universe

Explore the evolution of astronomy from Copernicus to Newton and beyond, including Kepler's laws, Galileo's observations, and the modern physics revolution. Learn about the Copernican Revolution, Tycho's accuracy, and Newton's gravitational laws. Delve into quantum mechanics and the general theory of relativity.

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Search for Life in the Universe

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  1. Search for Life in the Universe Chapter 2 Science of Life in the Universe (Part 2) AST 248, Fall 2005

  2. Copernican Revolution • Copernicus • Tycho and Kepler • Galileo • Newton • Modern Physics AST 248, Fall 2005

  3. Copernicus • Conflict: planetary data noticeably different from Ptolemaic model • Heliocentric model: simpler than convoluted Ptolemaic model • Copernicus assumed circular orbits  epicycles still required • Heliocentric model: no better fit to the data • Church: initial support, but opposition developed AST 248, Fall 2005

  4. Tycho and Kepler • Tycho (1546-1601): unprecedented, 1 arcmin accuracy for planetary positions • New scientific method: discard poorer, old data • Kepler (1571-1630): used Tycho’s data  Kepler laws: • Elliptic orbits with Sun at one focus • Sweep equal areas in equal times • T2  a3 AST 248, Fall 2005

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  8. Galileo • Galileo (1564-1642) turned the telescope into a scientific instrument. • Major Observations: • Mountains and craters on our Moon • Sunspots • Phases of Venus, like our Moon • Four moons of Jupiter • Major theories: • First relativity principle  Newton’s First Law • Weight-independent gravitational acceleration (Pisa experiment) • Conflict with the Church AST 248, Fall 2005

  9. AST 248, Fall 2005

  10. Newton • Newton (16421727): first to write down the physical laws of mechanics: • Galilean inertia: need • F = ma • Action =  reaction • Calculus: invented new mathematics to characterize the physical laws. [Other inventor of calculus: Leibnitz (16461716)] • Gravitation: • Universal law of gravitation: F = Gm1m2/r122 • Kepler laws: follow from theory AST 248, Fall 2005

  11. Modern Physics • All physics: follows from Newton’s laws • Breakdown of Newtonian mechanics: • At large velocities  speed of light • At atomic and smaller distances • Einstein (18791955): • Special theory of relativity for large velocities • General theory of relativity to include gravity • Quantum mechanics (1926): • Replaced causality with probability • Foundation of all modern technology AST 248, Fall 2005

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