I own this set and can't say enough good things about it. It's very
comprehensive and fun.
Dewell
On Jan 18, 2017 11:07 AM, "Leah S" <lphxaz@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
if we want to add this to the agenda for the meeting tomorrow night (as a
mini-MOM to decide whether PAS should buy the astronomy course while it is
on sale), I will be happy to talk about it for a few minutes
On 1/18/2017 11:06 AM, Leah S wrote:
btw here is a Ted talk by Prof Filippenko
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gniDHWq0R_Q
the astronomy part starts at 1:55
On 1/18/2017 10:25 AM, Leah S wrote:
the only thing is, the price I quoted is just till Feb 9. so if PAS wants
to get the course for $140 and not $800, we need to decide before then.
maybe we can have a mini-MOM on this topic tomorrow night before or after
the meeting?
On 1/18/2017 10:06 AM, Mark Johnston wrote:
We had a discussion about if/how to use some of the PAS funds we have in
our saving account. I would propose this would be an excellent investment
for the club for the educational/handout reason cited by Leah. Perhaps we
could add this to the member agenda for a future MOM meeting? We would
need to figure out who holds on to it, what the lending mechanism is,
consequences to the borrower if lost/damaged etc but I think those can be
worked out.
Mark
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Leah S <lphxaz@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, Jan 18, 2017 at 9:59 AM
Subject: [pasmembers] astronomy 101 on DVD
To: "members >> List Serv" <pasmembers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
there is a company called "The Teaching Company" that produces
college-level classes on CD and DVD. one of their classes is called
"Understanding the Universe - An Introduction to Astronomy" by Prof Alex
Filippenko. he is a *really great* instructor. this class is a full
college-level Intro to Astronomy class, with 96 half-hr lectures on DVD
plus a 500-page book. they are offering it until Feb 9 for $140 plus
shipping. (it usually sells for $800.)
would PAS be interested in ordering this to lend out to members? or would
anyone be interested in buying it for themselves? if so, please let me
know and I can give you the special catalog code for ordering it at this
rate. they do have a discount on their website, but the catalog I received
has even better prices on some items.
here is a description of the class: http://www.thegreatcourses.com
/courses/understanding-the-universe-an-introduction-to-astro
nomy-2nd-edition.html
they also have other astronomy classes by Prof Filippenko and others, and
classes on many other subjects. (you are welcome to browse their catalog,
and if there is anything you are interested in, let me know and I will
check to see if it's in the sales catalog I just received.)
*note: *in general I can recommend all of their classes *except *for one
that they did on history of the mideast, which is full of very hateful
anti-Israel propaganda - unfortunately that is a problem in all US
universities nowadays, because Saudi Arabia has used their petrodollars,
i.e. the money we pay for gas, to fund "Middle Eastern Studies" depts that
teach anti-Israel propaganda. so if you want to learn about history of the
mideast - I can recommend other sources of information, such as books by
Prof Bernard Lewis, a well-known historian. Prof Lewis's books are also
available in audio form. he is not pro or anti anything, he is just
objective, and he is an *expert*.
