Concepts, methods, and observations in astronomy, especially designed for students with little background in the sciences. The course proceeds outward from the earth and its companion planets in the solar system to the stars and the processes that explain their brilliance in the night sky, and then onward to the galaxies and the structure of the universe as a whole. Along the way, ideas from physics, chemistry, biology, and geology are discussed. During the final weeks of the semester, we explore what and how scientists have learned about the history of the universe, the development of life on earth, and the likelihood of life elsewhere in the universe. One- to two-hour evening observation sessions are a required part of the course, connecting the ideas discussed in the classroom and the textbook to the real world directly visible in the skies around us. Not available to students who have taken Astronomy 002.
62%2030 Fall: 62% chance, medium confidence. Offered in every fall term since 2018.
7%2030 Spring: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 9 spring terms since 2018.
7%2030 Summer: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 9 summer terms since 2018.
8%2030 Intersession: 8% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 6 intersession terms since 2020.
2029
67%2029 Fall: 67% chance, medium confidence. Offered in every fall term since 2017.
6%2029 Spring: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 10 spring terms since 2017.
6%2029 Summer: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 10 summer terms since 2017.
7%2029 Intersession: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017.
2028
71%2028 Fall: 71% chance, medium confidence. Offered in every fall term since 2016.
5%2028 Spring: 5% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 11 spring terms since 2016.
5%2028 Summer: 5% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 11 summer terms since 2016.
7%2028 Intersession: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017.
2027
74%2027 Fall: 74% chance, medium confidence. Offered in every fall term since 2015.
5%2027 Spring: 5% chance, high confidence. Offered in 0 of 12 spring terms since 2015.
5%2027 Summer: 5% chance, high confidence. Offered in 0 of 12 summer terms since 2015.
6%2027 Intersession: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017.
2026
11 section
Not offered
Not offered
n/aNo data
2025
11 section
Not offered
Not offered
Not offered
2024
11 section
Not offered
Not offered
Not offered
2023
11 section
Not offered
Not offered
Not offered
2022
11 section
Not offered
Not offered
Not offered
2021
11 section
Not offered
Not offered
Not offered
2020
11 section
Not offered
Not offered
Not offered
2019
11 section
Not offered
Not offered
n/aNo data
2018
11 section
Not offered
Not offered
n/aNo data
2017
11 section
Not offered
Not offered
Not offered
2016
11 section
Not offered
Not offered
n/aNo data
ForecastUnder 15%15–39%40–69%70–89%90%+Not enough history
Fall Spring Summer Intersession More sectionsNot offeredNo data
Meeting times
Recent first
Tue, Thu, 6:00 PM–7:15 PMSackler Science Center S120202620252024202320222021+1 moreAlso offered in Fall 2020
Tue, Thu, 10:25 AM–11:40 AMSackler Science Center S121201920182016201520132012+1 moreAlso offered in Fall 1998
Mon, Fri, 10:25 AM–11:40 AMSackler Science Center S1212017
Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:00 AM–11:50 AMSackler Science Center S121201120102009200820072005+7 moreAlso offered in Fall 2004, Fall 2003, Fall 2002, Fall 2001, Fall 2000, Fall 1999, Fall 1995
Tue, Thu, 9:00 AM–10:15 AMSackler Science Center N1042006
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, 6:00 PM–10:00 PMSackler Science Center N1051998-2
Mon, Wed, 11:00 AM–11:50 AMBP3591997-1
Fri, 11:00 AM–11:50 AMSackler Science Center J321A1997-2