Asawa (Ruth) SF Sch of the Arts A Public School – Astronomy

Mar 2026 · 2nd Semester

How do we know so much about objects in our universe that are light years away? How did scientists use a robotic spacecraft to fly through the tail of a comet and return a sample to Earth ? How do the cycles of the moon and sun affect our environment here on Earth? Our universe is filled with wonders that once seemed unknowable. This course will introduce students to the scientific methods and tools used to investigate worlds from our neighbors in the solar system to exotic objects like quasars at the far reaches of the known universe. The course topics will include the formation and evolution of our solar system, our dynamic sun, asteroids, comets, robotic spacecraft design, the search for exoplanets (planets orbiting other stars), and the investigation of astrobiology (the search for extraterrestrial life). Students will do direct investigation of the physics of craters, the cycles of the sun, and astronomical spectroscopy to name a few. They will also use a variety of engaging online tools to directly explore our universe. This course provides an overview of the major topics in astronomy such as the origin and evolution of the universe, galaxies, stars, telescopes, the solar system, and the Earth and its moon.