General Astronomy

This course is an introduction to the science of Astronomy at a general level. Topics include motion and configuration of the sun, moon, and planets with respect to the stars; the nature of light and the design of astronomical telescopes and instruments; properties of the sun and other members of the solar system; the stars, their distances, dimensions, masses, temperatures, and compositions; stellar spectra, binary stars, variable stars, star clusters, and an outline of stellar evolution; and interstellar matter and the structure of the Milky Way. (lec 3) cr 6. This survey course is a suitable science elective. Students may not retain credit for both PHYS 1905 and ASTR 1005.