Spring 2007
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Course Philosophy: From the motion of the stars and planets to the expansion of the universe...

Astronomy is the ancient science which seeks to understand our place in the cosmos. Based on an explosion of new physics in the 20th century, we can address the scale and history of our universe. You will explore stars, galaxies, and cosmology in the laboratory, in the planetarium, and in lecture. By the end of this semester, you will be able to address basic questions like, why is it cold in winter? what will happen when the sun dies? how did the solar system form? what is the big bang? how old is the universe?

Course Themes: The course topics will be divided into three major themes:

• celestial mechanics: the motion of the stars, the Sun, the Moon, and the planets on the celestial sphere; tides, eclipses, stellar parallax; the nature of light and matter.
• stellar evolution: the birth, life, and death of the Sun and stars.
• galaxies and cosmology: galaxies, expansion of the Universe, the Big Bang, and the fate of the Universe.

• employ quantitative concepts and mathematical methods, by understanding graphic information, solving simple algebraic equations, making practical use of fundamental principles of geometry.
• think critically and analytically, by recognizing the assumptions underlying a position or argument, making logical inferences, and reaching sensible conclusions, applying rules of logic to the development and analysis of an argument or thesis, and accurately defining and solving problems.
• demonstrate the sensibilities, understandings, and perspectives of a person educated in the liberal arts tradition, by understanding scientific principles and methods and their application in the generation and testing of knowledge, understanding the historical and philosophical contexts of the major disciplines of knowledge, and understanding the use and development of technology.

Department of Geology and Astronomy
West Chester University
http://astro.wcupa.edu/mgagne
mgagne@wcupa.edu