AST 102 - Solar System Astronomy 3 cr.

Designed for the non‐science major, this course will provide an introduction to the astronomy of our solar system‐from its earliest beginnings as humans pondered the movement of wandering “stars” in the night sky to the most recent data returned by NASA space probes. Topics covered will include the origin and evolution of the solar system, the Sun and solar wind, planets, moons, asteroids, meteors, comets, and Kuiper belt objects. Additional topics will include the search for life in the solar system and the search for extrasolar planets. Students may attend a night telescope observation on campus. 3 hrs. lect. Pre and/or Corequisite: ENG 101.