What makes a star shine? For how long will the Sun keep shining? What are black holes and how can they form? Astronomy 101, a non-major, general introduction to the part of contemporary astronomy that includes how stars form and how they end their existence, will provide answers to these questions and more. The course gives special attention to the exciting discoveries of the past few years. Topics include modern astronomical instruments such as the Hubble Space Telescope, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the 10-meter Keck Telescopes, and the Very Large Telescope in Chile, and results from them; how astronomers interpret the light received from distant celestial objects; the Sun as a typical star (and how its future will affect ours); and our modern understanding of how stars work and how they change with time. We will also discuss how pulsars and black holes result from the evolution of normal, massive stars and how giant black holes are at the center of galaxies and quasars. We will discuss the discovery of planets around stars other than the Sun. This course is independent of and on the same level as Astronomy 102 and 104. Evening observing sessions include use of the 24, and other telescopes to observe stars, nebulae, planets, and galaxies; daytime observation of the Sun will also be possible. In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn the constellations and to find their way around the sky. In labs, students will be able to explore concepts discussed in class; students will also have the opportunity to use the department's multimedia facilities to learn more about the astronomical objects they study and observe and to explore astronomy on the World Wide Web. Format: lectures, three hours a week; observing sessions; and 4 labs per semester. Evaluation will be based on two hour tests, a final exam, an observing portfolio, and laboratory reports. No prerequisites. Non-major course.