Introduction to Astronomy Learn more

?What is Astronomy?
Astronomy is a natural science which involves study of heavenly bodies such as stars, moons, planets, nebulae, and galaxies. The characteristics of celestial objects that are studied in astronomy include the evolution of these objects as well as their physics, chemistry and mathematics. The phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth, such as cosmic background radiation, gamma ray bursts and supernovae explosions are also part of astronomy.
Who should take this course?
Anybody interested in learning something about the universe can take this course. If you also want to study the universe and have a willingness to do some advanced research in this field, take this course and benefit from Ronen Plesser’s knowledge.
What will you learn from this course?
In this course you will:
- Familiarize yourselves with descriptions of the positions and motions of celestial objects
- Study Newton’s laws of mechanics, his theory of gravity and some applications to Astronomy
- Review the properties and structure of Solar System, its origin and history
- Study final stages of stellar evolution and stellar remnants
- Discuss galactic structure and classification
- Learn galactic rotation curves and dark matter
- Acquire an understanding of the special theory of relativity
- Study the general theory in a qualitative way, and discuss its application to black holes and gravitational lensing
- Discuss the universe as a whole
If you successfully complete the class, you will receive a Statement of Accomplishment signed by the instructor.
Table of Content:
- Positional Astronomy (naked-eye Astronomy)
- Newton’s Universe
- Planets
- Stars
- Post-Main-Sequence Stars
- Relativity and Black Holes
- Galaxies
- Cosmology
- Hubble Expansion
- Big bang cosmology
- The cosmic microwave background
- Early universe physic
Author Bio:
Ronen Plesser received his PhD in physics from Harvard University in 1991, and is currently working as an associate professor of physics and mathematics at Duke University.

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