The Milky Way’s Bulge - From a Hypothesized Blob to a Remarkably Detailed Picture

This course aims to provide a detailed understanding of the central bulge of the Milky Way galaxy, including the composition, formation processes, and implications for planet formation and life evolution. The course covers topics such as chemistry, metallicity, star distributions, and the significance of the bulge. Participants will learn about the ages and chemical abundances of stars in the bulge, as well as the complexities and gaps in current knowledge. The teaching method involves a recorded lecture by an expert in the field, supplemented with visual aids such as images and diagrams. This course is intended for individuals interested in astronomy, astrophysics, or space science, particularly those with a curiosity about the structure and evolution of our galaxy.