#101 The Scale of the Cosmos
Visual tour of the universe, starting with the sun and moving to the
very edge of the known universe
#102 The Sky
How different cultures throughout the world over the scope of human history have
viewed celestial events and objects; Apparent motion of the sun in our sky
#103 Cycles of the Sky
Detailed description of the phases of the moon is highlighted by computer graphics;
The sidereal and synodic periods of the moon; Lunar eclipses; and solar eclipses
#104 The Origin of Modern Astronomy
How philosophers and scientists, ancient and more recent past, reconciled
observation, theory, and mathematics to develop a model of the solar system
#105 Newton, Einstein and Gravity
Describes how Newton's law of gravitation and three laws of motion explained such
phenomena as elliptical orbits and the motions of all objects; Einstein's special and
general theories of relativity
#106 The Tools of Astronomy
The collection and analysis of light and other electromagnetic radiation
#107 Atoms and Starlight
Use of spectroscopy to study different celestial phenomena: stellar composition,
temperature, motion
#108 The Sun
Space-based observatories and discoveries concerning the sun, its core, layer
temperatures, helioseismology, solar atmosphere, and magnetic cycles.
#109 Stellar Properties
The scientific measurements of parallax, apparent brightness and luminosity, and
the mass-luminosity relationship
#110 Stellar Formation
Formation of stars from clouds of space gas and dust; composition of the
interstellar medium; Role of the force of gravity; Orion Nebula
#111 The Lives of Stars
Proton-proton chain of nuclear reactions; Pressure vs gravity in the life of a
star; Hertzsprung-Russell(H-R) diagrams; Hypothesized brown stars
#112 The Death of Stars
Outlines the death of stars: Depletion of core hydrogen, cessation of core nuclear
reactions, contraction of helium core, outer layers nuclear reactions, red giant
formation, planetary nebula, and white dwarfs; Novas and supernovas
#113 Neutron Stars and Black Holes
After the death of a star: Neutron stars, pulsars and black holes; evidence for the
existence of dense objects; Chandrasekhar mass limit; Postulated gravity waves and our
current laws of gravity
#114 The Milky Way
Discovery of the Milky Way; Its formation, maps of the Milky Way, Phenomena near
the center of our galaxy
#115 Galaxies
The discovery of galaxies outside of our galaxies; Expansion of the universe,
Hubble Law, Galactic shapes, collisions, star bursts, and mergers; Role of gravity;
Theoretical models of the universe's large-scale
#116 Peculiar Galaxies
Challenges posed by peculiar galaxies; Quasars; Seyferts and radio galaxies
#117 The Big Bang
Birth and evolution of the universe; Acceptance of the Big Bang over the steady
state theory; Cosmic Background Radiation
#118 The Fate of the universe
Discoveries in cosmological research; Mature of dark matter; Age of the universe;
Hubble constant; Scenarios for the future of the universe
#119 The Origin of the Solar System
Solar nebula theory; The search for Evidence of the solar nebula theory in distant
stars; Evolution of our solar system; Overview of the features of our solar system
#120 Planet Earth
Formation and evolution of Earth; Comparative planetology: craters, plate
tectonics, formation of water and atmosphere, ability to sustain life
#121 The Moon and Mercury
The Moon: basic features, synchronous rotation, formation theories; Compare and
contrast with Mercury
#122 Venus and Mars
Compare and contrast of Venus and Mars; Mapping of the surface of Venus; History of
liquid waster on the Martian surface; Martian polar ice caps
#123 Jupiter and Saturn
Jupiter's features, liquid composition, colorful atmosphere, Great Red Spot, moons
and rings; Compare and contrast with Saturn; Titan
#124 Uranus, Neptune and Pluto
Uranus' composition, rotation, atmosphere, rings and moons; compare and contrast
with Neptune; Triton; Pluto's moon, origin; Origin of similar icy bodies
#125 Meteorites, Asteroids and Comets
Solar system "debris": composition, origins; Asteroid classification,
Trojan and Apollo asteroids; Origin of comets; Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9
#126 Life on Other Worlds
Chemicals of life; Supernovae; Difficulty of detection of planets around other
stars and techniques for detection; Drake equation; Monitoring of radio waves