IST 605: Journey to the Stars: Astronomy (and Astrophysics!) for Beginners

Are you curious about planets, constellations, meteors and other objects in the sky? Have you wondered about how planetary bodies interact, what a black hole or dark matter really are, or why certain stars are only observable in certain seasons? This guide will introduce you to the exciting realm of astronomy, which is all about observing and studying celestial objects. We’ll also delve into the closely related field of astrophysics, which looks at the physics that guide the development and behavior of objects in space. These topics help us to understand the beginnings and evolution of the universe, how planets and celestial bodies interact, how to use instruments to observe and understand observable objects in the sky, and they often raise new and exciting questions about the nature of life itself! Wow, if this all sounds a bit overwhelming have no fear, there are scores of resources out there for those just wading into the world of astronomy/astrophysics that don’t require any specialized knowledge or tools! Note that this guide does not include information on astrology, a separate special area of interest that considers constellations and sky positions at birth and the proposed interplays with personality and relationship dynamics. The resources contained in this guide are targeted towards high school age learners and up, and may be too advanced for our younger stargazers- though a teenage or adult learner can use resources in this guide to help introduce their younger counterparts to these exciting concepts!