Astronomy, An Introduction

 
The Mt. Wilson Observatory, JPL and Cal Tech are in our backyard. These august entities put astronomy front and center in Pasadena. Astronomy is the study of astrophysical objects beyond our atmosphere, from the Sun and planets in our solar system, to the billions of stars in our Milky Way galaxy, to the black holes beyond its borders, and the origin of the universe itself. In this course, students will discover the basics of stars, planets, galaxies, and the universe, as well as the technology behind the telescopes used for their study. Through interactive discussions, participants will be introduced to the electromagnetic spectrum of light and how different objects in the night sky produce light at different wavelengths. We will explore ways to continue exploring astronomy using hobbyist binoculars and telescopes, publicly accessible data from NASA and NRAO telescopes, and a basic knowledge of constellations and major stars to orient on a starry night. A goal of the course is for students to feel empowered to continue expanding their interest in science and astronomy by introducing opportunities for hobbyist astronomy around Pasadena.