Despite its pedigree as the oldest of sciences, astronomy remains a vital discipline in the modern era. Space probes extend humanity’s reach as well as its gaze beyond the boundaries of earth, sending back information about our celestial neighbors. New discoveries are being made literally every day in the field, as astronomers look out into space and back into time using a wide variety of observational and computational tools. This is not unusual for science in the “information age”, but what sets astronomy apart from many other sciences is its accessibility to non-scientists.
The goals of the Astronomy Program at Austin Community College are:
- To provide students with classes in introductory astronomy suitable for transfer to satisfy the science requirements of four-year institutions;
- To provide students with the knowledge and skills required to understand and appreciate basic ideas of astronomy, to pursue astronomy as lifelong learners, and to think critically as scientifically aware citizens.
The Astronomy Program has a strong, experienced, and dedicated faculty that teaches a dynamic and engaging subject. Take a class and discover the universe!
Link to Astronomy course descriptions.
Read the Transfer Guide for ACC Astronomy courses.
Get Ready for the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024
Mark your calendars now! On April 8, 2024, most of Central Texas will be in the direct line to witness a total solar eclipse. Austin Community College District’s (ACC) Astronomy Department prepares you for this extremely rare event. Watch the video to hear from ACC Expert Dr. Michael Endl, ACC Physics associate professor, on what to expect.
Total solar eclipses are rare and can only be seen from certain parts of the Earth, and they last for only a few minutes at most. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, blocking the entire disk of the Sun and casting a shadow on the Earth’s surface.
The Astronomy Department is planning a series of events leading up to the event. Read more information. Almost all ACC campuses will be in the direct path of the total solar eclipse.
Microgravity Group
Interested in the Austin Community College NASA Microgravity Group? See what some previous ACC students have done. See the NASA website for more information on the program.
STEM Scholarships
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science) scholarship opportunities are available for eligible full-time students who are pursuing degrees in specific fields. Find out more about ACC Scholarships.
Star Party News
Our next Star Party event time and dates will be announced soon. Link to read about past events.