Introduction to Astronomy

Introduction to Astronomy is a one-semester course designed to promote understanding of the fundamental concepts of astronomy and humanity's evolving understanding of the cosmos from ancient times to the present. Students will examine the movements of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars; the formation of the solar system; lunar phases and eclipses; and the properties and life cycles of stars and galaxies. The course places a particular focus on Kepler's laws of planetary motion, Newton's law of universal gravitation, and the mysteries of asteroids, comets, and the outer solar system. In unit activities, students will investigate the conditions that make life on Earth possible, analyze the formation and structure of the Milky Way, and evaluate cosmological theories of the universe's origins. Students will also explore how astronomers collect data from distant objects in the cosmos and assess the possibilities and challenges of space exploration and the search for extraterrestrial life.

There are no required materials for this course.