An Introduction to Astronomy

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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.

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University of Cambridge - Professional and Continuing Education

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