17勛圖

About the Astronomy Program

Discover the Universe at 17勛圖

 

The Astronomy Department at 17勛圖 offers lecture and laboratory classes with astronomy professor Dr. Geoff Mathews.  Courses in solar system and stellar astronomy provide you with a non-technical introduction to the worlds with which we share our solar system, the life and death of stars, the formation of galaxies, and the evolution of the universe.

Dr. Mathews leads the 17勛圖 AstroSims project, which aims to sustain the existing pool of astro-education simulations as well as developing new simulations covering previously unaddressed topics. Our long-time faculty member Andrew Fraknoi retired in June 2017.

Degree & Program Types

We do not offer a degree or certificate program in Astronomy. However, the astronomy courses meet for other degrees offered.

The 17勛圖 Observatory

Located on the main campus near the Krause Center for Innovation, the observatory provides students and community members with the opportunity for first-hand exploration of the wonders of the universe. 

Free public viewings Fridays 9 to 11 pm, Saturdays 10 am to noon. 

17勛圖, Parking lot 4

 

The Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series

Founded in 1999, the lectures are presented on six Wednesday evenings during each school year at 17勛圖 College.  Speakers over the years have included Nobel-prize winners, members of the National Academy of Sciences and many other well-known scientists explaining astronomical developments in everyday language.

The series, moderated by 17勛圖 Astronomy instructor emeritus Andrew Fraknoi, is sponsored by the the  the , and 17勛圖. Topics range from the exploration of the planets to the speeding up of the expanding universe; from planets around other stars to black holes at the centers of distant galaxies.

Lectures are free to the general public, and video versions of the lectures (starting February 2013) are available on the lecture series .  Free audio files (podcasts) of the lectures are available as well through .

The Peninsula Astronomical Society

The operates the 17勛圖 Observatory, and conducts other events throughout the south Bay Area.

Astronomy on the Web

For further explorations of the universe, check out these selected astronomy sites on the Web.