# Astronomy (ASTR) courses

Las Positas College · 2026-2027 Catalog · 4 courses

Source: https://laspositas.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/1097/1125/1134

"Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Summer 2026, Fall 2026.

### ASTR 29 — Independent Study, Astronomy

- **Units:** 0.5-2
- **Hours:** 108 hours laboratory
- **Transfers to:** CSU
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026 schedules
- Credit - Degree Applicable
- Grading Option: Letter Grade Only

For course information, see "Independent Study". 27-108 hours lab.

### ASTR 30L — Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory

- **Units:** 1
- **Hours:** 54 hours laboratory
- **Prerequisite:** ASTR 31 or ASTR 32, may be taken concurrently.
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Summer 2026, 1 section (/c/las-positas-college/schedule/summer-2026/astr.md); Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/las-positas-college/schedule/fall-2026/astr.md)
- Credit - Degree Applicable
- Grading Option: Optional
- Cal-GETC: 5C

Introduction to laboratory principles and techniques in astronomy. Includes: observational techniques such as naked eye, binocular, and telescopic identification of stars, planets, constellations, and deep sky objects; telescope operation and imaging; spectroscopy, motions of the sun, moon and planets.

### ASTR 31 — Introduction to Astronomy: The Solar System

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 hours lecture
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Summer 2026, 1 section (/c/las-positas-college/schedule/summer-2026/astr.md); Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/las-positas-college/schedule/fall-2026/astr.md)
- Credit - Degree Applicable
- Grading Option: Optional
- Cal-GETC: 5A
- LPC-GE: 5

Introduction to history and physical principles of astronomy, focusing on our Solar System. Includes: constellations; distance scales; historical development of astronomy; gravitation; motion of the Earth, Moon, and Planets; astronomical tools; formation and evolution of the solar system; physical properties, atmosphere, and evolution of the Earth, Moon, and planets within the solar system; asteroids, comets, and other small bodies; discovery of extra-solar planets; possibilities for life beyond Earth. Designed for non-majors in mathematics or a physical science. A companion science lab, Astronomy 30L, is also available.

### ASTR 32 — Introduction to Astronomy: Stars and the Universe

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 hours lecture
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Summer 2026, 1 section (/c/las-positas-college/schedule/summer-2026/astr.md); Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/las-positas-college/schedule/fall-2026/astr.md)
- Credit - Degree Applicable
- Grading Option: Optional
- Cal-GETC: 5A
- LPC-GE: 5

Introduction to the study of stars, galaxies, and cosmology. Includes the nature of light and matter, telescopes, spectroscopy, stellar formation and evolution, galaxies, quasars, and cosmology. Designed for non-majors in mathematics or a physical science. A companion science lab, Astronomy 30L, is also available.