The study of astronomy can be both awe inspiring and humbling. In this course, we are sure to experience both emotions, as we investigate some of the earliest thoughts on the structure and order of the universe up till modern times. The course will begin with a study of the cosmologies of Plato and Aristotle. Then we will look at two contrary theories posed by Ptolemy and Copernicus. It is at this point, the meaning of “Copernican Revolution” will begin develop; further insight into this will be developed as we study the works of Kepler, Galileo, and Newton. From this point, the course transitions to modern astronomy. We will work our through a workbook which will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the current theories about our universe and where it is going. Finally, the course concludes with two great thinkers of the 20th century: Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein.
- Teacher: Dastan Khalid