Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Alerts! Questions? Discussions... => Topic started by: Ian on Jun 29, 2007, 10:45:00

Title: Physics basics for Astronomers
Post by: Ian on Jun 29, 2007, 10:45:00
I've had a thought.

It happens. Sometimes.

A lot of our speakers assume (rightly) that we as an audience have a basic understanding of some physics principles on which their presentation is based.

There's a members evening coming up in September and if there is some interest, I could attempt to explain some basic physics.

Would anyone be interested, and if so, what topics?
Title: Re: Physics basics for Astronomers
Post by: Rick on Jun 29, 2007, 11:16:22
String Theory!

*ducks and runs away*
Title: Re: Physics basics for Astronomers
Post by: Ian on Jun 29, 2007, 11:47:26
no, that's fine. I'll start with, "how long is it?"
Title: Re: Physics basics for Astronomers
Post by: Carole on Jun 29, 2007, 14:07:16
Always keen to learn something new especially if it helps to understand things, although I might have covered whatever it is on my Astronomy GCSE course.

Carole
Title: Re: Physics basics for Astronomers
Post by: Ian on Jun 29, 2007, 14:35:05
Carole, I've not sat an Astronomy GCSE. How much physics theory is there in it?
Title: Re: Physics basics for Astronomers
Post by: Mike on Jun 29, 2007, 20:59:57
Sounds like a great idea Ian - I would like that for sure.
Title: Re: Physics basics for Astronomers
Post by: Delphine on Jun 30, 2007, 10:09:22
Yes - a talk on 'String Theory' would interest me
Title: Re: Physics basics for Astronomers
Post by: Rick on Jun 30, 2007, 11:47:09
*tries to shoe-horn "basic physics" and "string theory" into the same world view*

*fails*

;)
Title: Re: Physics basics for Astronomers
Post by: Rick on Jun 30, 2007, 21:24:16
There're a whole bunch of equations that have some relevance to astronomy. Kepler's Laws might be worth a mention? Maybe Maxwell's Equations?
Title: Re: Physics basics for Astronomers
Post by: Rick on Jun 30, 2007, 22:15:08
...talking of which, go to http://irregularwebcomic.net/1420.html and turn the annotation on. ;)