This is an introductory astronomy survey class that covers our understanding of the physical universe and its major constituents, including planetary systems, stars, galaxies, black holes, quasars, larger structures, and the universe as a whole.
Offered By
Caltech
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
13 hours to complete
Week 1
Welcome to The Evolving Universe!
7 videos (Total 90 min), 2 readings, 7 quizzes
7 videos
Welcome1m
The Oldest Science6m
Astronomy as a Science12m
Messengers from the Universe21m
Distances and Scales18m
Kepler's Laws, Newton's Laws, and Dynamics of the Solar System23m
Celestial Coordinate Systems, Time Systems, and Earth Rotation6m
2 readings
Lesson Slides10m
Lesson Slides10m
7 practice exercises
Self-Test Questions: The Oldest Science4m
Self-Test Questions: Astronomy as a Science4m
Self-Test Questions: Messengers from the Universe4m
Self-Test Questions: Distances and Scales4m
Self-Test Questions: Kepler's Laws, Newton's Laws, and Dynamics of the Solar System4m
Self-Test Questions: Celestial Coordinate Systems, Time Systems, and Earth Rotation4m
Quiz 120m
Week
23 hours to complete
Week 2
10 videos (Total 97 min), 2 readings, 11 quizzes
10 videos
Geometric Optics, Angular Resolution11m
Detectors (UV, Visible, and IR)9m
Radio Telescopes7m
X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Telescopes6m
Non-Electromagnetic Observations4m
Basics and Kirchoff's Laws11m
The Origin of Spectroscopic Lines12m
Blackbody Radiation and Other Continuum Emission Mechanisms9m
Fluxes and Magnitudes8m
2 readings
Lesson Slides10m
Lesson Slides10m
11 practice exercises
Self-Test Questions: Optical Telescopes (UV, Visible, IR)4m
Self-Test Questions: Geometric Optics, Angular Resolution4m
Self-Test Questions: Detectors (UV, Visible, IR)4m
Self-Test Questions: Radio Telescopes4m
Self-Test Questions: X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Telescopes4m
Self-Test Questions: Non-Electromagnetic Observations4m
Self-Test Questions: Basics and Kirchoff's Laws4m
Self-Test Questions: The Origin of Spectroscopic Lines4m
Self-Test Questions: Blackbody Radiation and Other Continuum Emission Mechanisms4m
Self-Test Questions: Fluxes and Magnitudes4m
Quiz 232m
Week
33 hours to complete
Week 3
7 videos (Total 87 min), 2 readings, 8 quizzes
7 videos
Interstellar Dust: Extinction and Reddening8m
Star Formation17m
Formation of Planetary Systems3m
Contents of the Solar System23m
Formation of the Solar System14m
Planetary Atmospheres4m
2 readings
Lesson Slides10m
Lesson Slides10m
8 practice exercises
Self-Test Questions: Interstellar Medium: General Properties4m
Self-Test Questions: Interstellar Dust: Extinction and Reddening4m
Self-Test Questions: Star Formation4m
Self-Test Questions: Formation of Planetary Systems4m
Self-Test Questions: Contents of the Solar System4m
Self-Test Questions: Formation of the Solar System4m
Self-Test Questions: Planetary Atmospheres4m
Quiz 322m
Week
43 hours to complete
Week 4
8 videos (Total 88 min), 2 readings, 9 quizzes
8 videos
Searching for Exosolar Planets13m
Studying Other Worlds9m
Life in the Universe9m
Stellar Structure Basics10m
Energy Generation in Stars11m
Energy Transport in Stars3m
The Sun Our Star16m
2 readings
Lesson Slides10m
Lesson Slides10m
9 practice exercises
Self-Test Questions: Thermodynamics of Planets4m
Self-Test Questions: Searching for Exosolar Planets4m
Self-Test Questions: Studying Other Worlds4m
Self-Test Questions: Life in the Universe4m
Self-Test Questions: Stellar Structure Basics4m
Self-Test Questions: Energy Generation in Stars4m
Self-Test Questions: Energy Transport in Stars4m
Self-Test Questions: The Sun Our Star4m
Quiz 420m
4.7
103 ReviewsTop reviews from The Evolving Universe
To try to compress the universe in only a few lessons is incredibly hard so we can only say this is an introductory course. I hope other courses are developed to explore this subject more deeply.
Wonderful course! A brief introduction to cosmology but with plenty of material to cover. I recommend researching for papers additionally to the material, but you'll need more time than 4 weeks.
Instructor
S. George Djorgovski
ProfessorAstronomy
About Caltech
Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering research and education institution, where extraordinary faculty and students seek answers to complex questions, discover new knowledge, lead innovation, and transform our future. Caltech's mission is to expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education. We investigate the most challenging, fundamental problems in science and technology in a singularly collegial, interdisciplinary atmosphere, while educating outstanding students to become creative members of society.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.