Introduction to Astronomy
| Science Course | |
|---|---|
| Course Code | STAR |
| Year Opened | 2001 |
| Sites Offered | BRI, SCZ |
| Previously Offered | EST |
Course Description
From the CTY Catalog: In the 17th century, Galileo looked into the sky with a simple pair of lenses and saw the moons of Jupiter. Modern times have had similarly profound discoveries. This course investigates light, optics, and other areas of physics used in the study of modern astronomy. We’ll tour the universe, learning about planets and their physical, chemical, and geological properties; the mathematics of orbiting bodies; and how to use visual and calculated stellar brightness scales to calculate distances to stars. By plotting sunspots and distinguishing solar types based on color, temperature, and luminosity, we’ll investigate the lifecycle of the sun and other stars; learn about the evolution of galaxies; use data from drifting galaxies to approximate the Hubble Constant; and discuss exotic objects like quasars and black holes. .
