Instructor: David Whelan
Description: The modern American view of the night sky was not shared by most peoples throughout history. Today, you do not have to be a scientist to be aware of the groundbreaking discoveries in physics and astronomy that show us space is a dynamic medium, always changing. To many of our ancestors, however, the stars were eternal, and the patterns that they made in the sky were an opportunity to preserve their oral histories and mythologies. In this course, we will take a look back at some stories from the night sky that have been handed down to us. We will also engage with some of the most modern astronomical equipment available for taking pictures of deep sky objects, so that we can see just how much our outlook has changed. Class will be held at night to allow us to observe the night sky. We will also take a short trip to dark sites in New Mexico to provide us some insight into what we have gained, and what we have lost, by becoming technologically advanced.
Meeting Dates: 01/02/2024 – 01/24/2024
Meeting Times: M-F 08:00PM – 11:59PM
Meeting Location: IDEA Center 301
Section Requisites: Instructor permission required via email
Course Fee: $900
Out-of-Pocket Expenses: $100