A31: Current Topics in Astronomy - 6 units
Edward Murphy and Richard Patterson
Thurs. 1:00–2:30 p.m. - Sept. 11, 18, 25, Oct. 2, 16, 23         
McCormick Observatory - Limit: 35

The course will be organized by Edward Murphy and Richard Patterson. Dr. Murphy is an associate professor in the Department of Astronomy. He received a B.S. degree in astronomy from the University of Illinois in 1989, and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in astronomy from UVa in 1993 and 1996.  He teaches introductory astronomy for non-science majors and is coordinator of the education and public outreach program in the Department of Astronomy.  Dr. Patterson is a senior scientist in the Department of Astronomy.  He received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in astronomy from UVa. in 1984, 1989, and 1995.  He has taught introductory astronomy for non-science majors, and his research is focused on the formation history of the Milky Way Galaxy.

In the last decade, dozens of discoveries have revolutionized astronomy, such as the discovery of more than a hundred other solar systems and the cannibalistic history of our own Milky Way Galaxy—or the realization that our Universe is not just expanding, but that the expansion is accelerating.  Faculty members from the Department of Astronomy will discuss these recent advances and highlight the research that is carried out at UVa.