- Platform
- FutureLearn
- Provider
- The Open University
- Effort
- 3 hours/week
- Length
- 4 weeks
- Language
- English
- Credentials
- Paid Certificate Available
- Course Link
Overview
From the basics of astronomy to the science behind the birth of a star, this course will change the way you see the night sky. Starting with Orion’s famous nebula, where new stars and planets are formed, you’ll take a look at the seven brightest stars that make up this constellation using high-quality images from telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope. You’ll find out about exoplanets, which may hold the secrets to life outside of the solar system, the galaxy Milky Way, of which our solar system is but one small part, and the history of the universe from the Big Bang to the present.
All Open University Science MOOCs presented on FutureLearn are produced with the kind support of Dangoor Education.
You do not need a professional telescope for this course, but you may find at least a pair of binoculars extremely useful.
No prior experience of the subject is required.
Taught by
Monica Grady
From the basics of astronomy to the science behind the birth of a star, this course will change the way you see the night sky. Starting with Orion’s famous nebula, where new stars and planets are formed, you’ll take a look at the seven brightest stars that make up this constellation using high-quality images from telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope. You’ll find out about exoplanets, which may hold the secrets to life outside of the solar system, the galaxy Milky Way, of which our solar system is but one small part, and the history of the universe from the Big Bang to the present.
All Open University Science MOOCs presented on FutureLearn are produced with the kind support of Dangoor Education.
You do not need a professional telescope for this course, but you may find at least a pair of binoculars extremely useful.
No prior experience of the subject is required.
What topics will you cover?
• Find the constellation of Orion in the night sky
• Learn all about the legend of Orion
• Discover how the constellations were used for navigation
• Discover the amazing process that causes stars to form
• Find out what happens to different stars over their lifetime
• Learn what happens when stars run out of fuel
• Find out what the night sky can reveal about the Big Bang theory
• Get involved with classifying galaxies into different shapes
• Take a tour of space through the PIRATE telescope
• Find out what is important about the Earth’s position
• Discuss whether you think there are other planets just like ours
• Find out about The Open University’s project to map the stars
• Find the constellation of Orion in the night sky
• Learn all about the legend of Orion
• Discover how the constellations were used for navigation
• Discover the amazing process that causes stars to form
• Find out what happens to different stars over their lifetime
• Learn what happens when stars run out of fuel
• Find out what the night sky can reveal about the Big Bang theory
• Get involved with classifying galaxies into different shapes
• Take a tour of space through the PIRATE telescope
• Find out what is important about the Earth’s position
• Discuss whether you think there are other planets just like ours
• Find out about The Open University’s project to map the stars
Taught by
Monica Grady