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-astronomy-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*.
