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.
The Evolving Universe
CaltechAbout this Course
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Flexible deadlines
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Approx. 28 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 28 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Offered by
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.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
3 hours to complete
Week 1
Welcome to The Evolving Universe!
3 hours to complete
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
3 hours to complete
Week 2
3 hours to complete
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
3 hours to complete
Week 3
3 hours to complete
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
3 hours to complete
Week 4
3 hours to complete
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
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM THE EVOLVING UNIVERSE
by MVMar 29, 2019
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.
by JHJul 15, 2017
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.
by JIApr 27, 2019
I really enjoyed every lesson. It's an incredible and very complete course. Anyone who loves astronomy should do it. In addition, I was able to improve English, which is my second language.
by ANMay 23, 2020
This course finally mitigated my immense interest about Universe. I really liked the content and evaluative process of this course. Thanks to Caltech for this amazing astronomy course.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
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What is the refund policy?
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Is financial aid available?
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Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.
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