It has been less than a century since the Sun was discovered not to be at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, and our Milky Way Galaxy determined to be only one of countless "island Universes" in space. The new millennium is bringing a host of technological advances that are enabling us to understand ever more clearly our place in the Universe and how the Universe began. For example, the Hubble Space Telescope brings clearer images of celestial objects than have ever been obtainable before, and is allowing progress on determining the past and future of the Universe. The Chandra X-ray Observatory, launched in 1999, is giving us unprecidentedly detailed views of violent objects like supernova remnants and galaxies containing giant black holes. In addition, observations of the early Universe are giving clues into how its currently observed structure arose, and is confirming and enlarging our understanding of the Big Bang. Astronomy 104, a non-major, general introduction to part of contemporary astronomy comprising the study of galaxies and the Universe, will explore the answers to questions like: What is the Milky Way?; Why are quasars so luminous?; Is the Universe made largely of "dark matter"?; Is there "dark energy"? What determines the ultimate fate of the Universe? This course is independent of, and on the same level as Astronomy 101 and 102. Observing sessions will include use of the 24" telescope and other telescopes for observations of stars, star clusters, planets and their moons, nebulae, and galaxies, as well as daytime observations of the Sun. In labs, students will explore concepts discussed in class. Format: lecture and observing sessions. Evaluation will be based on two hour tests, a final exam, an observing portfolio, and laboratory reports. No prerequisites. No enrollment limit (expected: 30). Non-major course.