This course is an introduction to two related-but not identical-disciplines of physics: space physics and astrophysics. Space physics is concerned with understanding the environment between the sun and the Earth's upper atmosphere. Coronal mass ejections, the solar wind, magnetospheric storms, and auroral precipitation are among the many phenomena studied in the context of space physics. Astrophysics is a study of stellar structure and evolution, galactic structure, and cosmology. Phenomena of interest include quasars, black holes, supernovas, and the cosmic microwave background radiation. The relative emphasis given to the two disciplines varies depending on the background of the instructor.
