Astro 4
Black Holes and Cosmic Catastrophes
Fall 2025
Introduction
This course introduces students to the exotic cosmic phenomena known as black holes, and their bizarre effects on the very fabric of space and time. Some black holes form in violent events that terminate lives of stars. Other, much more massive black holes live at the centers of galaxies, and their formation story is still mysterious. The course also covers cosmic catastrophes including stellar explosions and mergers, supernovae, and gravitational waves. The course concludes with a discussion of the depiction of black holes in popular culture.
Course Information
Professor:
Alice Shapley
310-206-3768
3-931 PAB
aes@astro.ucla.edu
Office Hours: Wednesday 2:00-3:00 pm, Location: 3-931 PAB
TA:
Sydney Skorpen
3-441 PAB
Office Hours: Wednesday, time TBD, Location: TBD
Lectures:
Monday, Wednesday 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm; Kinsey Pavilion 1240B
Discussion Sections:
1A Friday 2:00-2:50 pm; 2748 PAB
1B Friday 3:00-3:50 pm; 2748 PAB
1C Friday 4:00-4:50 pm; 2434 PAB
Textbook, etc.:
The Cosmic Perspective, 10th edition (2023) Bennett, Donahue, Schneider, & Voit
Gravity's Fatal Attraction, 3rd edition (2005) Begelman & Rees
A simple calculator is HIGHLY recommended, though not required.
Grading:
- Homework
20%: Weekly assignments, simple quantitative problems
- Discussion-section assignments
20%: Weekly assignments to be completed in discussion section, simple quantitative problems
- Mid-Term: Wednesday, October 29th, in class
30%: Combination of multiple choice, matching, and True/False questions
- Final Exam: Thursday, December 11th, 8:00 am - 11:00 am
30%: Combination of multiple choice, matching, and True/False questions
Homework will be assigned roughly every week and is to be turned in online by midnight on the designated day. A total of 8 assignments will be given during the quarter. Late homework may be turned in up to 1 week after the due date. After one week, we will return graded homework and no late assignments will be accepted after that. In-class work will be assigned in discussion section, to be completed during discussion section. A total of 8 discussion-section assignments will be given during the quarter, and the top 6 grades will be counted.
Learning Outcomes:
Based on based on lectures, and weekly homework and in-class assignments, students will engage in
the scientific process of inquiry, analysis, problem-solving, and quantitative reasoning.
They will also acquire an informed appreciation of the phenomenology of black holes and gravity in our universe.
Course Website: