U of L's physics department is creating five new or expanded courses in astronomy and astrophysics, several of them to be taught within the new planetarium. The department has established the courses as one concentration in a new bachelor of science program to begin this fall. The new courses will be in observational astronomy, cosmology, optics and astrophysics. Physics chairman Joseph Chalmers explained that observational astronomy shows students how to describe stars and galaxies in a sky that, because of the earth's rotation, is constantly changing. Optics students will analyze the light from stars to reveal the atoms that comprise them.
Astrophysics is the study of how a star generates immense energy.
The courses in observational astronomy and at least one student section of the introduction to astronomy will be taught within the new planetarium, Chalmers said. Other U of L departments also may use the planetarium for academic purposes, according to Jim Cheski, assistant vice president for information technology. For instance, music students could use the facility to compose and perform electronic music. The 3-D effects also may prove effective in teaching students in physical sciences and health fields.