About the Course
When the sun runs out of fuel, will it explode in a giant supernova or fade into a white dwarf? Does every galaxy revolve around a supermassive black hole? Will the universe keep expanding or eventually collapse upon itself? Astrophysics,the study of the physical laws governing astronomical objects and the universe,is key to determining how the universe started, how it works, and where it's headed. In this course, you and your classmates will learn about scale and distances between planets, stars, and galaxies. You'll explore stellar evolution; the birth, life, and death of stars and their inner workings; and consider how objects such as neutron stars and black holes are formed. You'll investigate galaxies, including the Milky Way, comparing their shapes, compositions, and rotational speeds, and calculate distances to other galaxies using Hubble's Law. Lastly, you'll explore topics in modern cosmology, such as the Big Bang and inflationary universe hypotheses, and consider the ultimate fate of the universe.
Typical Class Size: 18-20
Learning Objectives
- Show the primary constituents of the universe on scales from the solar system to observational frontiers, and express them in context with the appropriate measures of space and time
- Defend how the interactions between matter and energy give rise to observational data that allows us to learn about the distant universe without direct interaction
- Construct patterns, connections, and relationships between the objects in the universe, including but not limited to atoms, nebulae, stars, stellar clusters, galaxies, clusters of galaxies, and quasars
- Present physics governing the life cycle of stars, correctly sequencing the stages from initial gravitational collapse through main-sequence nuclear fusion, and eventually to end-products such as black holes and neutron stars
- Apply and interpret the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to identify, classify, and compare stars throughout their evolutionary phases
- Justify principles and theories of astrophysics using mathematical computations of at least two equations: Kepler's Third Law, Wein's Law, Stefan-Boltzmann Law, Hubble's Law, or the Drake Equation
- Evaluate and discuss the ongoing arguments and progress at the forefront of astrophysics on topics such as dark matter/energy, the big bang, the inflationary hypotheses and exoplanets
About Advanced Enrichment courses
These courses offer above-grade-level material that is presented in a novel context, explored with other advanced learners, and guided by a CTY educator to help prepare students for higher-order thinking and college-style academic challenges. Students work individually and may finish the course early if they complete all requirements before the course end date.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
In Person
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Residential Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 11, 2026
Full Waitlist Available
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Technical Requirements
Students must bring a laptop computer with at least Windows 10 or a recent version of Mac OS for use during the session. Students may be asked to install simulation software once onsite; detailed instructions will be provided.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Astronomy Today Volume 2: Stars and Galaxies, by Eric Chaisson and Steve McMillan
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: July 2, 2026
Full Waitlist Available
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Technical Requirements
Students must bring a laptop computer with at least Windows 10 or a recent version of Mac OS for use during the session. Students may be asked to install simulation software once onsite; detailed instructions will be provided.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Astronomy Today Volume 2: Stars and Galaxies, by Eric Chaisson and Steve McMillan
Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
Learn more about Financial Aid