Courses with Joseph A'Hearn

This Astronomy course is intended to help students discover astronomy through its history as well as to introduce students to the basic concepts of modern astronomy. Students are expected to have an understanding of algebra. The topics covered in this course include the night sky, the history of astronomy, the solar system, stars, black holes, galaxies and quasars, dark matter and dark energy, the Big Bang and possible fates of the Universe, extrasolar planetary systems, and life in the Universe. This course will provide a solid foundation both for future astronomy studies and for understanding the relationships between science, faith, and philosophy. This course consists of two units, the first taking a historical approach and the second taking a systematic approach. The course includes sixteen video lectures (about six hours total) and recommended readings from Arny & Schneider's Explorations: Introduction to Astronomy and from Danielson's Book of the Cosmos. Students will be invited to engage in discussion during seven live sessions with the instructor.