About this course: 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.
Created by: University of Arizona
Taught by: Chris Impey, Distinguished Professor
Astronomy
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | ~26 hours of lectures and assignments |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Romanian |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space
Here you can find all of the introductory information, course syllabus, and current announcements.
2 videos, 6 readings
Graded: Survey Verification "Quiz"
WEEK 2
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.
15 videos, 3 readings
Graded: Lesson Quiz 1a (Videos 1-8)
Graded: Lesson Quiz 1b (Videos 9-14)
Graded: Writing Assignment no. 1, "Science: Past and Present"
WEEK 3
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.
6 videos, 3 readings
Graded: Lesson Quiz 2a (Videos 1-5)
WEEK 4
The Tools of Astronomy
A continuing revolution in telescope design and construction is giving astronomers an unprecedented set of tools for exploring the universe.
15 videos, 3 readings
Graded: Lesson Quiz 3a (Video 1-7)
Graded: Lesson Quiz 3b (Videos 8-14)
Graded: Writing Assignment no. 2, "Telescopes"
WEEK 5
Matter and Radiation
Astronomers harvest information across the electromagnetic spectrum, using spectra to measure the composition of distant objects and diagnose extreme physical conditions.
14 videos, 3 readings
Graded: Lesson Quiz 4a (Videos 1-7)
Graded: Lesson Quiz 4b (Videos 8-13)
WEEK 6
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.
18 videos, 3 readings
Graded: Lesson Quiz 5a (Videos 1-7)
Graded: Lesson Quiz 5b (Videos 8-13)
Graded: Lesson Quiz 5c (Videos 14-17)
WEEK 7
Exoplanets
In the last few years, thousands of extrasolar planets have been discovered, including some that are Earth-like and possibly habitable.
10 videos, 3 readings
Graded: Lesson Quiz 6a (Videos 1-9)
Graded: Writing Assignment no. 3, "Exoplanets"
WEEK 8
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 dwar...
12 videos, 3 readings
Graded: Lesson Quiz 7a (Videos 1-6)
Graded: Lesson Quiz 7b (Videos 7-11)
Graded: Writing Assignment no. 4, "The Sun and Stars"
WEEK 9
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 st...
12 videos, 3 readings
Graded: Lesson Quiz 8a (Videos 1-5)
Graded: Lesson Quiz 8b (Videos 6-11)
Graded: Activity no. 1, "Galaxy Zoo"
WEEK 10
Cosmology
The expanding universe points back to an extraordinary state of extremely high density and temperature called the big bang.
11 videos, 3 readings
Graded: Lesson Quiz 9a (Videos 1-10)
Graded: Writing Assignment no. 5, "Cosmology"
WEEK 11
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 unive...
14 videos, 3 readings
Graded: Lesson Quiz 10a (Videos 1-8)
Graded: Lesson Quiz 10b (Videos 9-13)
Graded: Activity no. 2, "Observing Project"
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Help from Your Peers
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Creators
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is the state’s land-grant university and a member of the Association of American Universities—made up of just 62 universities in the country. As one of the world’s premier public research universities, the university conducts more than $625 million of research annually. Home to two allopathic medical schools in Tucson and Phoenix, the UA Tech Park, and a member of the Arizona Space Grant Consortium, the university creates an $8.3 billion economic impact for Arizona. U.S. News and World Report placed 14 University of Arizona graduate programs among the top 20 in the nation and it is one of the nation’s top producers of Fulbright Scholars. With its strategic academic and business plan, “Never Settle,” as its guide, the university is producing graduates who are global citizens, engaged leaders, and fulfilled individuals.
Ratings and Reviews
The course is excellent. It provides an introduction to different aspects of astronomy, in an entertaining, comprehensive and intelligent way. The materials are very complete, and the homeworks are nice, and some of them especially interesting to carry out. The script of the videos and the teacher are very clear and didactically very good. The course fulfills expectations
Very enlightening and excellently put together.
I learned a lot from this course. Thank you!!
Coursera provides universal access to the world’s best education, partnering with top universities and organizations to offer courses online.
© 2017 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
LK
poderia ser mais dinâmico, mas o conteúdo é mto bom