Why astronomy? A little history. Tools of astronomy. Photometry! Spectroscopy! Lots of pretty pictures of the Milky Way. Next, a Milky Way inventory. What does the Milky Way include? Stars, dust and gas. How do we know the shape and size of the Milky Way? While it appears static, the Milky Way is truly dynamic. Gas and stellar motions facilitate the construction of a map (which includes a Black Hole). Motion implies evolution. With spectroscopy we can establish an assembly timeline, highlighting past banquets and future disasters. How old is the Milky Way? We appeal to Cosmology to establish a time line of our Universe. Is the Milky Way unique? A look at lots of other galaxies, some very ‘new’ (thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope). Lastly, our expert and ever-provocative instructor’s take on Extraterrestrial Life. 6 Classes. Limit 50.

G. Fritz Benedict         
10:00—Noon Thursday, Starts Feb. 19
The Village at the Triangle
4517 Triangle Avenue (78751)