FSEM 101 - Eyes to the Universe: A Full Spectrum View of Our World

Our quest to understand the nature of things, from microscopic atoms to stars and galaxies, relies heavily on the light we receive from these objects. Even the discovery of exotic objects such as black holes and dark matter, which by themselves do not emit any light, relies on light produced by objects near them. In this seminar we will explore properties of light in general, not just visible light but the whole spectrum ranging from radio waves to gamma-rays. In this hands-on, project-based course we will learn about how mirrors, lenses and cameras work, visit research laboratories, hear about cutting-edge developments from scientists, and use telescopes in our observatory to study the treasures of the night sky. Making use of Wheaton’s Makerspace facilities, we will design and build instruments and use them to explore nature.

Credits 1