This is going to be an introductory series of lectures where both the over-simplification of popular lectures and complicated mathematical derivations are avoided. Though a good knowledge of algebra and some basic trigonometry are essential. I will take care to stay away from derivatives and integrals.

Course Description:

1. Motion on Earth. Galileo Galilei: Free fall of objects. Projectiles. Isaac Newton: Universal law of gravitation.
2. Our solar system: Kepler’s laws. Planetary orbits. Comets.
3. Artificial satellites. Geostationary orbits. GPS.
4. Space travel. Going to the Moon and the other planets. Rockets. Slingshot orbits. A brief history of space missions.
5. Reaching for the Stars. Space telescopes. How far? How bright? What color? The life and death of stars.
6. Our Milky Way Galaxy and beyond.