ASTR 102

Provides an overview of the large scale structure of the universe on a descriptive level. Topics include the structure of our own galaxy, the local group of galaxies, the classification of galaxies, and galaxy clusters. Galactic and extragalactic distance scales are also introduced. Further topics include the energy and matter content of the observable universe, evidence for dark matter and dark energy, and the history of the universe from the big bang to the present epoch. Contemporary experiments and observations in cosmology are also discussed.