Roughly every other year I teach Astronomy 207T, (next offered in fall 2012) "Extraterrestrial Life in the Galaxy: A Sure Thing or a Snowball's Chance?," a tutorial on the search for extraterrestrial life in the Galaxy. Among other topics, we discuss the formation of life on Earth; conditions elsewhere in the solar system that might be suitable; the burgeoning roster of exoplanets and their characteristics, which can tell us about the formation and architecture of planetary systems; and the ongoing search for radio and optical signals from extraterrestrial civilizations.

In alternating fall semesters (next offered in fall 2013) I teach Astronomy 211, "Observation and Data Reduction Techniques in Astronomy," a course on the techniques and technology of modern astronomical observing. Students learn how to plan, carry out, reduce and analyze real astronomical data using our 24-inch telescope, CCD detectors, and other equipment on our observing deck. Students also work with data obtained at national and international ground and spaceborne facilities.

In the spring of 2012, I will teach Astronomy 330, "The Nature of the Universe," a junior/senior non-majors course on cosmology. With a little bit of algebra and perseverance, non-specialists can understand a surprising amount of cosmological material. This is a fascinating time to be learning cosmology, given the exciting recent measurements pinpointing the age of the Universe and its current rate of expansion and acceleration, as well as new discoveries and theories of why the Universe behaves as it does.

I also teach a course in my research area, Astronomy 402, "Between the Stars: The Interstellar Medium," a seminar on the interstellar medium, which will next be offered in spring 2013. In this upper-level class we do lots of observing and computer work to explore the various manifestations of matter between the stars and the physical mechanisms that produce them.

Combining teaching and research interests, my colleague R. Henry and I have developed a Gallery of Planetary Nebula Spectra, presenting spectra of more than 160 objects we have observed over the years in a browsable format that also contains a zoomable spectrum display. The site contains atlas information for all the objects and links to images. Several exercises designed to help explore the data are also available.

Matt Hosek '12 explaining our remote observing setup to physics and astronomy students.