Astronomy and Astrophysics

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Course Description:

The distances, sizes, masses, and number of objects in space are, well, astronomical. As scientists and explorers we cannot always travel to the stars, so we use the computer to model what is going on in space, from the insides of stars, to the mechanics of colliding galaxies, to chemical processes on interstellar dust which may have contributed to Earth's primordial soup. This summer we will study the use of computers in astronomy and astrophysics.

The workshop will involve formal lectures, structured hands-on labs and activities, visits by practicing computational scientists, and the opportunity to work collaboratively with other students on a small research project. Careful observations and reporting of those observations will be emphasized at all times.