• Semester 1 (Day)

Synopsis

The  unit  consists of illustrated lectures, tutorials, plus observing
evenings at Mt. Kent Observatory outside Toowoomba. The lecture course
begins  with  astronomy's historical origins, and  the  telescopes  of
modern  astronomical science. The solar system is introduced, as  well
as the life cycles of stars. Discussion then ranges from the Milky Way
to  other  galaxies,  and the formation, structure  and  fate  of  the
Universe.

Topics  covered: History of Astronomy; Telescopes; The  Solar  System;
The  Variable  Sun; The Earth and its atmosphere and life;  Asteroids,
Comets and the extinction of the Dinosaurs; The lives of the Stars and
Black  Holes;  The  Fate  of  the  Sun  and  Earth;  The  Search   for
Extraterrestrial Intelligence; The Milky Way; Galaxies and  Cosmology;
The Big Bang; Observing the Sky.