Exhibitions

• Meanwhile, More Light

  Dennison Hall window mural by Jim Cogswell, opens Nov 2008

• Out of this World

  Astronomical images, Hatcher Library Gallery, Feb 1 - Mar 7, 2009

• Imaging the Universe

  Fine art, A & D Slusser Gallery, Feb 6 - Mar 6, 2009

• University of Michigan Astronomy Research

  Exhibit Museum of Natural History, Jan - Jul, 2009

• New Views of the Universe

  Multimedia exhibit, Exhibit Museum, Jan 30 - Jul 30, 2009

• ViewSpace Hubble exhibit

  Exhibit Museum of Natural History, opens Jan, 2009

• Rare Manuscripts by Galileo, Kepler, and others

  Special Collections Library, Feb - Apr, 2009

• Celestial Maps

  Third Thursday in the Map Library, Feb 19

Also, on-line exhibit at the University Libraries

• Silence by Jim Cogswell

  Fine art, Residential College Gallery, Mar 6 - Apr 10, 2009

• Detroit Works Gallery

  Astronomical images, Mar 15 - Apr 15

Talks

• Astronomy of the 21st Century

  Distinguished Speaker Series, Location TBA, 7:30 pm
  1/23, 2/6, 2/20, 3/13, 4/3

• Saturday Morning Physics

  Lecture Series, 170 Dennison
  Saturdays, 10:30 am, Dates TBA

• Eyes on the Universe

  Lecture Series, Exhibit Museum of Natural History, 7:30 pm
  1/28, 2/18, 3/18

• Exhibit Museum's Science Cafe

  Conor O'Neil's, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
  1/14, 2/11, 3/11, 4/15

Events

• Campus Star Parties

  hosted by University Lowbrow Astronomers, Ingalls Mall, 8 pm
  2/14, 3/7, 4/4

• Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra

  Space-themed concert, Michigan Theater
  March 19 & 22

• Galileo by Bertolt Brecht

  Theater production, Residential College Auditorium
  March 27 - March 29

• Sciencepalooza

  Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
  April 4 & 5

• FestiFools Parade

  Main Street, 4-5 pm
  April 5

• Detroit Observatory

  Open houses at 150-year-old Ann Arbor landmark

• Antique Telescope Society

  Annual meeting, Detroit Observatory
  May 8 - May 10

• Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Program

  Universe theme

Theme Semester Courses

Complete list of Theme Semester Courses

Astro 115:

Astrobiology: The Search for Life in the Universe

This course introduces the exciting new field of astrobiology, exploring the origins of life in the Universe. Scientific methods and an overview of star and planet formation are included. The course then explores the origin of life on Earth, focusing on the emergence and diversity of life on our planet. These factors will then be used to explore the question of life in the Solar System now or potentially in the past. We then delve into the exciting search for "extra-solar" planets and their biological potential. Finally, we speculate on the existence of life in the Universe, the possibility of communication with E.T. and, ultimately, travel between the stars. This course is intended for non-science concentrators with a basic high school background. (3 credits, BS, QR/2, NS)

Astro 188:

The Cosmos Through the Constellations

Tour the constellations that are visible this season, and explore topics in both basic and frontier astronomy by examining notable astronomical phenomena associated with these star patterns. This course will also relate mythology linked to the origin of the constellations and discuss celestial cartography. We will typically explore one constellation per lecture, focusing on the nature of astronomical objects of which a prototypical example is found in the featured constellation. There will be two one-hour lectures per week, and one discussion section per week, held in the Angell Hall planetarium. (3 credits, BS, QR/2, NS)

History 239:

Zoom - The History of Everything

This interdisciplinary course integrates the human story with its terrestrial and cosmic surroundings. The course addresses issues of scale by shifting perspectives in space and time through orders of magnitude; class sessions narrow the picture from galaxy clusters to our own planet. In addition, the course focuses on themes of complexity and connection - showing how the universe has its own history, characterized by the emergence of more complex aggregates of atoms, molecules, and elements. These units grow in complexity as they succeed in extracting ever increasing amounts of energy from their environments. The class then shows how human communities developed, through interregional connections, new ways to share and exploit natural resources. Yet just as stars and galaxies face ultimate collapse, so global human society now confronts a range of resource challenges that are difficult to overcome. (4 credits)