The larger picture includes our Milky Way galaxy, less hospitable exploding galaxies, and enigmatic quasars. The present state of knowledge or speculation regarding the origin and ultimate fate of our universe will also receive special attention. Course grades will be derived from scheduled quizzes or exams, and laboratory exercises. Frontiers of Astronomy. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Astro.
Astronomy is one of the most visible sciences, and regularly captures the public's attention.
From this we will see how astronomers can probe the Universe, using only the stray light and particles from distant objects, and how the need to explain these data enriches our understanding of the physical world. The class will emphasize how scientific discoveries are made, the results circulated, and then popularized. By focusing on such recent discoveries as planetary systems, black hole candidates, 'dark matter' and the large scale structure of the Universe we will learn to examine critically astronomers' claims of exciting new results. The grade will be based on writing assignments, class participation, and quizzes. The Origin of the Elements and the History of Matter.