IN PERSON: The knowledge of our vast universe beyond the few thousand stars we can see with the naked eye depends on telescopes. This course explores the transformative role of telescopes in expanding our knowledge of the cosmos. We’ll begin with the history of optical telescopes and the key discoveries they enabled. Moving beyond visible light, we will survey how modern telescopes allow us to see across the electromagnetic spectrum — from radio to gamma rays — revealing the universe’s most extreme phenomena. We will also discuss exotic telescopes that detect gravitational waves and neutrinos, providing insights on topics beyond traditional light-based astronomy. Emphasis is on the scientific knowledge gained rather than technical aspects of building or using telescopes, providing students with a broad view of the cosmos. | Lecture + Q&A.
Max enrollment: 40.
Location: Judea Reform Congregation, 1933 W. Cornwallis Rd, Durham NC 27705
