Course Description

A descriptive class (no math required) on astronomy covering history of astronomy, observational astronomy, and composition of our solar system, galaxy, and universe. First, you will learn about the history of astronomy and learn about how to view objects in the night sky. Next, you will learn about the formation and evolution of our solar system, including the composition and positions of the planets, moons, and the Sun. You will also learn about stars including their evolution and life cycle, properties and the formation of black holes. We will move onto galaxies and explore our own galaxy including the galaxies nearest to our own, progressing onto classifications of galaxies and interstellar medium. The universe as a whole will be examined by discussing the origins, expansion, theories of everything, and its fate. Finally, we will discuss the possibility of extraterrestrial life and what scientists are currently doing to search for life elsewhere. This is a 5 week, self-paced, online course. If you need additional help understanding the material presented, you can communicate with the instructor and fellow classmates. The instructor will monitor and track your progress throughout the class. LVS Online offers many wonderful learning tools to help you get the most out of your online course, including an online portfolio service that manages all your course registrations, certificate of completion option, a class discussion board to interact with your instructor and fellow classmates, free hosting account, and a student upload area. LVS is a Corel Training Partner. LVS students may purchase Corel products at a significant savings. Follow this link for details. LVS students are eligible to receive software and hardware at a discount. Follow this link for details. Students are also eligible take advantage of special offers made available specifically for LVS by famous software developers such as Andromeda, AV Bros, Extensis, Harry Heim, namesuppressed, Nik Multimedia, and Ulead. Details are provided in the classinfo link found in the confirmation of registration. Show off your LVS Online spirit with an item from the LVS Store Visit the LVS Blog for updates. If you would like to receive more information regarding this course, click on the "Contact Us" link in the Information section and we'll try to answer any of your questions within the day.

Course Requirements

A desire to learn Astronomy. No science background is necessary. Students must have a working knowledge of their operating system, especially: How to create and name new folders How to locate files How to open and save files Here are a few free tutorials available at LVS which may be helpful to you: PC Users: Free Windows Class Directory Structure Tutorial Mac Users: Basic Computer File Systems Tutorial (Mac) Homework must be reviewed by the instructor in order to earn a certificate. Students have the option of using their own web host, or free web hosting made available for LVS students, or utilize the Student Upload Area provided by LVS. Details are provided in the classroom. If you prefer to use your own web space, you must know how to upload your files to a server. Free tutorials are available: Basic HTML Page WS_FTP All lessons are available in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view/print the lessons. Plan to devote 2 - 3 hours per week on the lesson and assignment.

Course Prerequisites

None

Course Syllabus

Lesson 1 - History and Observation History of Astronomy Observational Astronomy Lesson 2 - The Solar System Formation and Evolution of the Solar System Composition of Bodies in the Solar System Position and Motion of Bodies in the Solar System Lesson 3 - Stars Stellar Evolution and Life Cycle Stellar Properties Stellar Spectra Stellar Distances and Parallax Lesson 4 - Galaxies The Milky Way and the Local Group Classification of Galaxies Interstellar Medium Lesson 5 - The Universe Distribution of Galaxies and Hubble s Law Cosmology The Study of the Universe The Big Bang The Early Universe Expansion of the Universe The Fate of the Universe The Multiverse and Theories of Everything Lesson 6 - Life in the Cosmos Searching for Other worlds Habitability of Other worlds Possibility of Life Beyond Earth

Course Excerpt

LESSON 1 To start this course off, I will begin with a description of the proportions of the universe. It is such a huge place that it is really hard to imagine the sense of time, scale, and energy without some interesting comparisons. A sense of scale: If the sun were the size of a volleyball and the Earth the size of a pea, they would be approximately 71 feet apart. If our solar system were the size of a CD, then the Milky Way Galaxy would be the size of the Earth. If the sun were the size of a golf ball in New York the next nearest star would be a golf ball in Chicago. The Sun would hold approximately 1 million Earths. There are 200 billion "Suns" in a galaxy like our own Milky Way Galaxy. Astronomers can see billions of galaxies. A sense of time: If we compress the time since the beginning of the universe (13.5 billions years ago) into one year, and make the beginning January 1, then: The Earth was formed in mid-September. The mammals appeared in late December. All human prehistory (from the first known stone tools) and history have occurred in the last hour of New Year's Eve. A sense of energy At 40 MPH, car consumes about 10,000 watts of power Hydrogen Bomb releases 100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 watts Sun steadily emits 100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 watts, the power of 10,000,000,000,000,000,000 cars Continued... Please note: Lessons provide step-by-step instructions with detailed screen captures.

Course Goals

To help you understand the general workings of the universe

Course Reviews

New Class March 2009 More...