Active galaxies and quasars. The expanding universe, cosmology, the big bang, and the early universe. Formerly numbered ASTR 103. An independent laboratory class in which students work individually or in small groups on observational projects. In addition, some projects use computers to simulate observations taken with much larger telescopes.
Projects focus on the study of constellations, planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies.
Class work is done predominantly at night. A seminar designed primarily for first and second year students, taught on a voluntary basis by a faculty member. A thorough discussion of the basic concepts and methods of solar system, stellar, galactic, and extragalactic astronomy with emphasis on physical interpretation. Recent research developments such as black holes, pulsars, quasars, and new solar system observations from the space program. Primarily for science majors.