Astronomy and Space

An introductory course designed to acquaint students with the wonders and complexity of the universe. Topics covered include Earth’s place in the universe, the day and night skies, the origins of modern astronomy, gravity and orbits, telescopes, the solar system, newly discovered planets around other stars, types of stars, the birth and death of stars, the Milky Way and other galaxies, the Big Bang, Dark Matter and Dark Energy, and the fate of the universe. The lab component consists of outdoor observations, use of telescopes, (weather permitting), computer simulations, and scheduled trips to planetariums.