The Beekman School's Astronomy Class
This one-semester elective is an introduction to the field of astronomy. It provides a survey of our modern understanding of the cosmos, including the formation of our solar system and galaxy, and our overall place in the universe. A major course objective is to provide an appreciation for how our lives are connected at the most fundamental level to the Sun, Moon, planets, stars, and galaxies that fill our skies.
Course content includes: The Big Bang; star and planet formation; understanding energy, motion, and gravity; the early history of astronomy and the Copernican revolution; discovering the universe on an individual level; recent insight into the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe; the challenges of interstellar travel and manned exploration of the cosmos.