Astr 328 Midterm Exam Questions
There will be three questions taken
from this list. You should plan on spending ~ 2-3 bluebook pages
answering each one.
- You are interested in studying the structure of
an elliptical
galaxy believed to be roughly at the distance of the Virgo cluster, but
need a good distance measurement first. What are the possible
techniques,
and which would you choose? Why?
- Describe how Type Ia supernovae can be used as a
distance indicator. Be sure to describe the physical processes involved.
- Explain how the Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect is used
to measure
the Hubble constant, and discuss sources of uncertainty.
- Write down the Freidman equation, and describe
each term. Using the Friedman equation, derive the following
for an Omega=1, Lambda=0 universe.
- R(t)
- t(z)
- the current age of the Universe
-
Explain the test behind the supernova cosmology
project,
and the recent results from this project.
- Describe what we mean by "peaks" in the power
spectrum of
the microwave background. What causes these peaks, and what do they
tell
us about the Universe?
- Describe how globular cluster ages are
determined, and how these ages constrain the cosmological parameters
which describe the universe. Be specific!
- Describe the four classical tests of cosmology,
and what data you might need for each one. Explain which of the tests,
if any, are providing good tests of cosmology today.
- Describe the Tully-Fisher relationship (including
its physical implications). Discuss the data you need to measure H0
with Tully-Fisher, and explain how the cluster incompleteness bias can
influence your answer.
- Describe the five foundations of modern
cosmology.