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Coursera

Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space

University of Arizona via Coursera

Overview

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This course is designed for anyone who is interested in learning more about modern astronomy. We will help you get up to date on the most recent astronomical discoveries while also providing support at an introductory level for those who have no background in science.

Syllabus

  • Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space
    • Here you can find all of the introductory information, course syllabus, and current announcements.
  • Science and History
    • Science combines logic and evidence to increase our understanding of the natural world, including remote and inaccessible regions of space and time.
  • The Night Sky
    • Astronomy is the oldest science, and its history shows a growing realization of our insignificant status in a vast and ancient universe.
  • The Tools of Astronomy
    • A continuing revolution in telescope design and construction is giving astronomers an unprecedented set of tools for exploring the universe.
  • Matter and Radiation
    • Astronomers harvest information across the electromagnetic spectrum, using spectra to measure the composition of distant objects and diagnose extreme physical conditions.
  • The Solar System
    • Space probes have visited most planets in the Solar System, and orbiters and rovers are homing in on the habitability of Mars. Space exploration is entering an entrepreneurial phase that might let us venture beyond the Solar System.
  • Exoplanets
    • In the last few years, thousands of extrasolar planets have been discovered, including some that are Earth-like and possibly habitable.
  • Star Birth and Death
    • Stars are the crucibles of heavy element creation, and the chaotic regions of their birth are being understood though long wavelength observations. Gravity is the ultimate victor in the life story of any star, leaving behind the exotic end states of white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes.
  • Galaxies
    • The architecture of the Milky Way galaxy is that of a disk, a bulge, and a halo, with the entire assemblage bound by enigmatic dark matter. Every galaxy contains a supermassive black hole, and entire population of galaxies is sculpted by gravity into subtle structures on large scales.
  • Cosmology
    • The expanding universe points back to an extraordinary state of extremely high density and temperature called the big bang.
  • Life in the Universe
    • The Earth gives us a ringside seat on the physical, chemical, geological, and biological evolution of a dynamic terrestrial planet. The abundance of terrestrial planets in remote solar systems motivates the search for life and technology elsewhere in the universe.

Taught by

Chris Impey and Matthew Wenger

Reviews

4.6 rating, based on 23 Class Central reviews

4.8 rating at Coursera based on 3582 ratings

Start your review of Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space

  • Honestly, I cannot express my thanks enough for this course. I've taken an astrophysics course online before and since I knew next to nothing about physics, I had to drop out. Since then, I've been so sad because I thought I'm not smart enough to understand astronomy. Turns out, even though I'm not good at physics, I'm smart enough to understand the concepts of Astronomy! And I loved the activities and the quizzes. The assignments are rather easy but I was able to engage with other learners so that's cool.

    I would say take your time with this course. It's worth it.
  • Profile image for Jack
    Jack
    This is a fantastic introduction to astronomy by Dr. Impey, indeed it is so much more. You will survey topics like the history of science and star gazing, telescopes and instrumentation, planets and the sun, distant galaxies, cosmology and the big b…
  • Maria Clara Mathias
    Honestly, when I saw the discription I just thought it would be a very interesting course and that I would learn a lot.

    In the beginning, it was a bit hard because I wasn't familiar with any kind of terminology and because there was a lot of information about topics that I wasn't really interested at. However, I told myself that it would get better and that, at some moment, we would get to the part I wanted to learn about. And we did. And I started to love the lessons.

    I really liked the course, the professor explains everything in a really good way. I learned a lot and once I started to enjoy it, everything went perfect. I really recommend it!
  • This course is a very wide outlook of physics and astronomy . I use it frequently as an introduction to choose other MOOCs on planets or astronomy . Picking one subject after another , Pr Impey introduce cosmology or exoplanets or robotic missions , particles , telescopes etc, etc ... Very informative at a basic level . Perfect for a start .
  • Anonymous
    The course is lengthy and time consuming for the ones who have no backgroung in science, but for the ones who have an interest in astronomy, "IT'S WORTH TAKING IT" .
  • Fabio
    It is the best course I've ever had online. Very nice videos, with animations and real images, a lot of extra material to read; of course it is also demanding, but it is really worth it if you are passionate about astronomy.
  • Sharon Sheridan
    The course itself is okay but it attracted some real fruitcakes. Its the usual Atheist versus Christian garbage I've seen this on other Coursera courses, but this one was the worst since even complaints to Coursera came to nothing, and insulting th…
  • If you want to learn Astronomy this is definitely the place to start! It covers all topics in a really nice way, lots of visual content to help you grasp the subject at hand, and also a great professor to explain it to you, I recommend it for everyone
  • This is a great overview of modern astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology, and even astrobiology. It features lectures not only on philosophy of science and history of space missions, but it gves a nice commentary on the current technological state…
  • 1. origin of universe.
    2. origin of life/origin of humans.
    There no more great questions in the universe than these.
    Astronomy can now offer questions on the origin of the universe.
    Dr. Johanson at ASU is offering class on human origin on Edx.
    University of Arizona. /Arizona State University are all offering free courses on line for free for all.
    1. Origin of universe. 2. Origin of life /origin of humans.
    This is is great class. this is great subject to study. professor know a lot.
    All people with internet connection should take this class. for free.
    What is better than free. Free class to know the origin of the universe.

  • Profile image for Roilan  Garcia Noblet
    Roilan Garcia Noblet
    This course is amazing, I have learned a lot in a few period of time. Astronomy is the study of everything in the universe beyond Earth's atmosphere. That includes objects we can see with our naked eyes, like the Sun , the Moon , the planets, and the stars
  • Profile image for Ananya Tiwari
    Ananya Tiwari
    It is the worst course. It was so wonderful when I started it and I was really enjoying it. But they asked me enroll again after completing half the course and my time and energy went waste. My classes were ongoing and the they just cancelled my course. Don't even try it. They will waste your time. Such good content by Chris Impey but such problems.
  • Profile image for Vijay Naik
    Vijay Naik
    A good introductory course. Can be taken by undergrads who wish to understand the field of Astronomy in fair detail.
  • Profile image for Pere Toledano
    Pere Toledano
    A great introducction to the field of astronomy from the beginning until the lattest discoveries. It's for any people interessed in beginning in this field.
  • Peyton Tillery
    this sight is a good sight i learn this from being 11 and i know how to measure a space craft and know a lot about the vector space model and i drew a space model that can help lanch peole in space
  • Profile image for Christopher Gidley
    Christopher Gidley
    Very good introduction to astronomy! Does not assume or require any prior knowledge. Both quizzes and writing assignments are very helpful.
  • Anonymous
    Astronomy is current issue of world .this include the Solar system find out the different type of Star, planet ,other things .
  • Superb course to get you interested in this field, recommended as a first course in astronomy. Good survey of topics
  • Met Bay
  • Sihfgrty

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