Planets, Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe

Catalog description

Overview of the structure, formation, and evolution of planets, stars, galaxies, and the universe. Topic: Observations by modem ground-based and space-based observatories have fueled significant changes in our understanding of the Universe. The Solar System contains only 8 planets but has many thousands of Kuiper Belt Objects, including Pluto. Large area sky surveys have taken inventory of the stars in the Milky Way Galaxy and galaxies in the Universe and determined that only 4% of the mass of the universe is found in luminous objects. Besides the mysterious "dark matter," we now know that the energy budget of the universe is dominated by "dark energy," which is causing the expansion of the Universe to accelerate. ASTRO 80 I: Planets, Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe will provide science educators with a strong foundation in astronomy, allowing them to critically evaluate the evidence for the most recent advances in our understanding of the Solar System, our Galaxy, and the Universe. Astronomers use observations of the light from distant sources to discover the nature of these objects and their environment. ASTRO 801 will lead students to an understanding of light and the instruments for its detection. They will see how careful analysis of these observational data and theoretical models are used to solve the mysteries of the Universe. ASTRO 801 will combine digital video, audio, simulation models, and the wealth of astronomical imagery from NASA's Hubble, Chandra, and Spitzer Great Observatories. Students will use highly detailed planetarium software and simulated observing experiences to directly explore the night sky to make the same observations that research astronomers perform in their work. ASTRO 801 students will be granted licenses to use the courseware developed for this course in their own secondary classrooms.