Free online courseAstronomy

Course Description

Welcome to the captivating world of astronomy through the course, "Astronomy." Spanning a concise duration of 2 hours and 56 minutes, this course has garnered an impressive average rating of 5 out of 5 stars, reflecting widespread appreciation and acclaim from learners.

Under the enlightening guidance of the instructor, you will embark on an in-depth exploration of the fascinating universe, starting with the monumental event that shaped it all—the Big Bang. This course belongs to the 'Others' category and delves deep into the realm of Astronomy, providing an extensive understanding of the genesis and evolution of the cosmos.

The journey begins with an introduction to the Big Bang theory, setting the stage for a series of insights into pivotal astronomical phenomena. You will unravel the mysteries of the expanding universe with an insightful explanation of Hubble's Law, followed by a closer look at the conditions of the hot, early universe. The course further delves into how radiation was stretched during the early moments following the Big Bang and examines the implications of cosmic background radiation.

As you progress, you will learn about the significant contributions of the COBE satellite in understanding the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) and explore how Earth's motion affects our perception of this background radiation. A captivating session on the relationship between energy, mass (E=mc^2), and the temperature in the early universe will deepen your understanding of complex astrophysical concepts.

The course does not shy away from tackling profound questions such as Olbers' Paradox and the enigmatic elements of the universe’s infinity. Einstein's contribution is highlighted by the discussion of his "Biggest Blunder," leading into the cosmological constant and the central query of whether the universe has a center.

The narrative then turns inquisitive with an exploration of the empirical evidence supporting the Big Bang theory, followed by a detailed examination of the Plank Era and the Grand Unification Era. The intriguing inflationary period and subsequent eras, like the Quark Era and the Baryogenesis, bring clarity to the formation and transformation phases of the universe.

Further sessions elegantly cover the Hadron, Lepton, and Nucleosynthesis periods, elucidating how mass and the first elements came into existence. The moment of decoupling or recombination signals the universe's transparency, giving way to the formation of the first stars and galaxies during the Radiation Era, often referred to as the "Dark Ages."

The course continues with an enlightening discussion on re-ionization and the processes that led to the formation of stars and galaxies, such as fluctuations and Jeans Length. Finally, you will contemplate the curvature of the universe and the crucial role of entropy in the Big Bang theory.

By the end of the course, you will possess a cohesive understanding of the universe's inception and its ongoing dynamics. Whether you are a novice astronomy enthusiast or a seasoned stargazer, 'Astronomy' offers a comprehensive, engaging, and profoundly educational experience that will leave you in awe of the cosmos.