Modern Astronomy

This three-week program will build a ground-up understanding of observational astronomy, exploring the basis of human extraterrestrial observation and the art of turning astronomy into a science.

We'll use the foundations of astrophysics to explain the implications of modern observations, supplementing data with observations we will learn to take during the class. We will develop a physically motivated framework with which to understand observations by undertaking a survey of the lifetimes of different unique objects in the universe, from stars to galaxies to the universe itself.

We will explore real astronomical data through python* based computer labs. Through these labs, we will turn raw data into beautiful astronomical images and use this data to analyze the ages, distances, and masses of stars.

*No python programming experience is necessary to apply.

Schedule: Online Live Sessions every Monday through Friday, 10:00am - 12:15pm, and 2:00 - 4:00pm (EDT). Mornings are lecture & discussion, afternoons are lab time.