Explore the foundations of celestial mechanics in this 41-minute lecture on General Astronomy. Delve into Kepler's laws of planetary motion, including elliptical orbits, the law of equal areas, and the harmonic law. Examine the groundbreaking contributions of Galileo and Newton to our understanding of the universe. Learn about Newton's laws of motion and how they revolutionized physics. Engage with concept checks and calculation exercises to reinforce your understanding of these fundamental astronomical principles. Gain insights into how scientists make sense of the universe through careful observation and mathematical analysis.