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This course features the development of astronomical observations of phenomena in the sky and theories to explain them. After the motions of the sky and celestial objects are explained, the development of calendars and the archaeoastronomical alignment of the sites to mark them are covered. Models of the cosmos extending from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, and other preclassical societies through Greece and Rome are covered. The systems of Aristotle and Ptolemy, their decay in medieval Europe, the Middle Eastern scholarship, the Renaissance, and the world of post-Newtonian rigor are covered. Extensive overlap between astronomy and many other human activities will be emphasized.
COURSE FORMAT: Lecture
Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: NSM ASTR Grading Mode: Graded
Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.
Last Updated on MAR-26-2001
Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459