This course deals with the evolution of stars in a nonmathematical fashion. Recent astronomical observations with the most powerful telescopes, including the Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory, revealed that the Universe contains many more black holes than previously expected. Starting with a general description of stars and their evolution and the physical processes taking place in their centers this course will discuss final outcomes of stellar evolution-white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes. We will discuss how neutron stars were discovered and later lead to very important discovery of gravitational waves and extra-solar planets. Detailed discussion of the bizarre properties of black holes will concentrate on relativistic effects, methods of observation and finally observational proofs of their existence. Hypothetical but very interesting possibilities of time travel and quantum effects connected with black holes will be covered. Format: lecture/discussion, three hours per week. Evaluation will be based on two hour exams, a paper and a final exam. No prerequisites. Courses in the 330-sequence are meant as general-education courses for students of all majors. Enrollment limit: 40. Not open to first-year students and sophomores. Non-major course. Closed to Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Physics majors.

Hour: DEMIANSKI