Astronomy: Key to the Universe (Self-Paced)

In this self-paced course, learners will gain a foundation in the field of astronomy. We will cover key concepts such as stellar and planetary formation, orbits, exoplanets, galaxies, black holes, and cosmology.  

This is an asynchronous course. There are NO live meetings. It is perfect for students who do not like to be on camera or live in different time zones. 

Instructor student interaction:
In addition to interacting with the instructor through questions, discussion, and feedback on homework, the instructor is available for “Office Hours” to meet with the learner over video or voice upon request!

There is no textbook for this class. All necessary learning materials will be provided in the classroom.

Lesson 1: A Cosmic Introduction
What Astronomy Is: Begin your journey by understanding the essence of astronomy and how we unravel the mysteries of the Universe.

Lesson 2: Gazing Beyond - Telescopes and Light
Telescopes and Light: Peer through the lenses of discovery as we delve into the tools that allow us to witness the cosmos.

Lesson 3: The Cosmic Ballet - Gravity and Orbits
Gravity and Orbits: Learn about the cosmic dance that keeps planets, moons, and stars in celestial harmony.

Lesson 4: Our Celestial Neighbors - Solar System
Solar System: Journey through our own cosmic neighborhood, exploring the planets, asteroids, and comets that orbit our Sun.

Lesson 5: Earth's Cosmic Companion - Earth-Moon System
Earth-Moon System: Unearth the fascinating story of Earth's intimate relationship with the Moon.

Lesson 6: Planet Parade - Planets
Planets: Traverse the diversity of our solar system's planets, each with its own unique characteristics.

Lesson 7: Beyond Planets - Sub-Planetary Bodies
Sub-Planetary Bodies: Explore the lesser-known celestial objects that inhabit our solar system.

Lesson 8: Our Fiery Heart - The Sun
The Sun: Unveil the secrets of our star and its crucial role in the solar system.

Lesson 9: Celestial Luminaries - Stars
Stars: Discover the stellar wonders that light up our night sky and fuel the cosmos.

Lesson 10: Cosmic Afterlife - Stellar Remnants
Stellar Remnants: Explore the dramatic fates of stars, including black holes and neutron stars.

Lesson 11: Beyond Our Solar System - Exoplanets
Exoplanets: Venture beyond our solar system to find other worlds orbiting distant stars.

Lesson 12: Galaxies and Beyond
Galaxies: Witness the grandeur of galaxies and the vast cosmic landscapes they inhabit.

Lesson 13: The Cosmic Tapestry - Large Scale Structures
Large-Scale Structures: Marvel at the colossal structures that shape the universe.

Lesson 14: Unraveling the Cosmos - Cosmology
Cosmology: Dive into the mysteries of the universe's origin, expansion, and ultimate fate.

Lesson 15: Future Explorations - New Frontiers
Future Exploration - New Frontiers: Peer into the exciting possibilities and future of space exploration.

There are no prerequisites for this class. While we will discuss some of the mathematics used in astronomy, learners will not need to use math in this course unless they would like to!