Embark on a cosmic journey through this captivating lecture that explores humanity's place among the stars. Delve into the structure of our Milky Way galaxy, learning how astronomers have mapped its vast expanse despite our limited vantage point. Discover the techniques used to measure stellar distances, from parallax to advanced space missions like GAIA. Explore the anatomy of our galaxy, including its spiral arms, central bulge, and mysterious warped disk. Uncover the challenges of understanding galactic dynamics and rotation, and peer into the enigmatic center of the Milky Way. Gain insights into the broader context of galaxies in the universe and the ongoing quest to fully comprehend our cosmic home. Conclude with a thought-provoking Q&A session that further illuminates our place in the grand tapestry of the cosmos.
Overview
Syllabus
When: 4:00 pm to pm Sunday, 11 September 2022
Finding our place among stars
Introduction
Few words about ICTS
Our place on the Earth
Our place in the Solar System
Where does Sun lie wrt other stars?
Star Counts Mapping
Catalog of 'fuzzy objects': Messier, NGC Spiral Nebulae: Island Universes
Island Universes: galaxies
Galaxies, galaxies Everywhere
Galaxies: Star aggregates
Types of galaxies
What type is our home galaxy?
Dont take stuff seriously!
Where are we?
Where is the Sun in Milky Way?
Mapping 3D structure requires perspective
Pitfalls of local view
Measure distances to farther and farther stars!
Parallax: Measuring distances to stars
Inherent motions of stars
Measuring motions of stars
Missions to measure distances accurately
GAIA - Star distances and kinematics
Nebulae as distance indicators
Young nebulae as tracers of spiral arms
Anatomy of Milky Way
Warp of Milky Way
Warp of Milky Way - GAIA
Rotation of Milky Way
Centre of Milky Way
Understanding our Home Galaxy
To conclude....
Disclaimer
Thank-you for your attention
Q&A
Wrap Up
Taught by
International Centre for Theoretical Sciences
