Stairway to the stars: a history of astronomy

The universe is a mind-boggling place. We have all seen images of stunning beauty and immense interest. How did we get out of the box and into a solar system then a universe?

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Key course information

Dates
10/01/12 - 20/03/12

Day(s)
Tue

Duration
11 weeks

Time
15:45 - 17:45

Fees
Full fee: £110
Senior fee: £62
Concession: £30

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
HS010

Availability
This course has finished

This course has finished

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Still got questions?
humanities@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2652

Course outline

What is the course about?

Astronomy – the study of the stars and anything else beyond the sky. The ancient universe was enclosed, like a box – now it is huge, unbounded and still expanding. There is a rich crop of characters to guide us through the story. This will not be a story of steady progress, but of false starts, wrong notions and intellectual dead-ends, with the occasional dazzling break through. For instance, was the Copernican Revolution (which gave that word its modern meaning) the greatest change in human thought in human history?

What topics will we cover?

Ancient astronomy – skies full of myths and legends.
Greek ideas: Babylonian observations
Ages of non-enlightenment
The night sky – worth a look
Renaissance -- cracking the crystal spheres
Heroic measurement.
Expanding mental picture
Expanding universe
Cosmic time - colossal distance.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

General appreciation of the skills of early astronomers
Recognise a few more constellations
Understand the seasonal variations on the ground and in the sky
Appreciate how we came to cast the Earth adrift in space
Follow, at least in outline, how some crucial measurements were made
Boggle at astronomical numbers and distances and times
Pick out another astronomical turning point (not the heliocentric revolution) in human ideas
Look up at the night sky with different eyes.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

No particular skills are essential, but an enthusiasm for learning and open and critical mind will enhance your enjoyment and benefit from this course.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Illustrated presentation leading to class discussion, when questions will be welcomed.
Some notes will be provided.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Please bring a pen and paper.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2652

humanities@citylit.ac.uk

Advice times:

During term-time Monday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30

Non term-time Monday 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30.

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.