A Gateway to Science: Observational Astronomy in the James Webb Era

Astronomy is in an amazing period of discovery. The Webb Space Telescope is enabling stunning discoveries about the formation of planets around other stars and first stars and galaxies. This course will open the curtain on astronomical discovery, examining astronomical telescopes and detectors, statistical methods, and astronomical computing. Students will also get a taste of what it means to be a professional astronomer by reading both popular and astronomical literature. Finally, as part of the final project, we will practice given public-level talks.