For nonmajors. Present knowledge of the sun, the, planets, and other objects in the solar system; of, stars, star systems, galaxies, and the universe as, a whole. Focus on conceptual understanding rather, than on a catalog of objects. Basic laws of, physics, including Newton's laws of motion and, gravitation, laws governing energy and its, transformations, theories of matter and radiation., How the distance, size, mass, brightness, and, composition of remote objects are determined., General theory of stellar evolution including, nuclear synthesis, origins of life on earth, and, origin and fate of the solar system. Occasional, evening observations at the Karle Observatory atop, the Olin Center for Physics and Chemistry.