How The Universe Got That Way

Facilitator: Brian Jones, physicsjones@gmail.com, (970) 980-1378 Dates: Fridays, January 9 — February 20, 2026 (7 Weeks) Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Texts: None Presentations: Not required Location: Foxtail 2, Senior Center, Class Limit: 30

13 billion years ago (more or less) the universe was born in what is termed the “big bang”. It was a hot, dense soup of particles and photons. Now, the universe is a big, cold, largely empty space populated by galaxies, stars, planets—and you and me.

How did it get this way?

That’s the topic of this course. We’ll talk about what information we can get from looking at stars and galaxies, how stars form and how stars evolve, why stars explode sometimes, and why sometimes they just fizzle. (What about the sun? We’ll talk.) We’ll talk about how we use exploding stars to measure distances, and how we use these measured distances to elucidate the structure, the history, and the future of the universe. How big is the universe? How old is the universe? How do we find planets around other stars? And what about Pluto? Is it a planet or not? We’ll answer all these questions and more.

Each session will involve some hands-on experimentation to help us understand basic principles. Each session will involve some small-group discussion to help us better wrap our minds around the topics at hand. Each session will leave you understanding just a bit more about the universe and our place in it.

You don’t need any background in science—just a bit of curiosity and a willingness to engage and explore. Come prepared to be active, to be social, and to be amazed!