Overview

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This course provides an accessible introduction to modern astronomy and our evolving understanding of the Universe, from the planets of our own Solar System to the unseen dark matter that shapes galaxies and cosmic structure. Through five modules, learners will explore how astronomers study planets, stars, galaxies, and the wider cosmos using observations, physics, and current scientific theories. You will examine the conditions that make Earth habitable, investigate the search for life elsewhere in the Solar System, and discover how scientists detect planets orbiting distant stars. The course also explores how stars form, evolve, and die, how the Milky Way galaxy is structured and mapped, and why dark matter remains one of the greatest unsolved problems in modern science. Along the way, you will engage with key astronomical discoveries, including exoplanets, black holes, stellar evolution, and galaxy formation, while developing a clearer understanding of how scientific evidence is used to build models of the Universe. Designed for beginners and non-specialists, the course combines short lectures, interactive activities, and quizzes to make complex ideas approachable and engaging. By the end of the course, learners will have a stronger understanding of astronomy’s big questions and the methods scientists use to investigate them.

Syllabus

The Solar System

Explore the structure and key features of our Solar System, and how it compares to planetary systems around other stars. You’ll examine the conditions that make Earth habitable and review current efforts to search for life elsewhere in the Solar System, including what discovering independent life would mean.

Exoplanets

Learn how astronomers detect planets around other stars using methods such as transits, radial velocity, and direct imaging. You’ll explore the diversity of exoplanetary systems, how they challenge existing models of planet formation, and how scientists search for signs of life beyond our Solar System.

Stars

Study the properties and life cycles of stars, using the Sun as a reference point. You’ll learn how stars generate energy, how they evolve over time, and how different masses lead to different outcomes, from white dwarfs to supernovae.

The Milky Way

Examine the structure and evolution of our galaxy, including its disk, bulge, and halo. You’ll learn how astronomers map the Milky Way from within, investigate the supermassive black hole at its centre, and explore how galaxies grow and change over time.

Dark Matter

Investigate the evidence for dark matter and its role in shaping the Universe. You’ll explore how it influences galaxy formation and motion, how it fits into the standard cosmological model, and the ongoing search to understand its true nature.