Explore the many moons of our Solar System. Find out what makes them special. Should we send humans to our Moon again?
Whether you are following our free Moons social open course on FutureLearn, alongside other learners and educators, or you'd like to follow the course at your own pace on OpenLearn, we've got a variety of related articles, videos, podcasts and more free courses to support your learning and give you a wider perspective on this fascinating subject.
In week one you meet scientists describing their fascination with moons; discuss the implications of finding life on a moon; meet Jessica, your course guide; take a tour through the Solar System; and find out how much you already know about moons.
Before you start
Haven't studied in a while? Before you start this course you may want to brush up on your Maths, English or Study Skills with our free courses.
Study qualifications and courses with The Open University
The Open University offers a large range of science courses, degrees and other qualifications. Take a look at our prospectus to find out more about these. Interested in going further with Galaxies, stars and planets? Visit our short courses page to find out more about this and other short courses, starting from just £160.
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Take it further...
Week One
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The rotating Moon
Find out more about the Moon’s state of synchronous rotation
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Week Two
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Stargazing on a budget
You don't need to invest in your own radio telescope to explore the night sky - you can get great results with really simple kit
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Week Three
Week Four
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The Moon
As the only planetary body everyone is familiar with seeing in the sky, the Moon has long been an object of fascination and speculation. This free course will teach you about the nearest planetary body to Earth: the missions to the Moon, the basic facts of its composition, the cratering on its surface, and the ancient eruptions that flooded many...
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Week Five
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From the OU on iTunesU - Moon rocks
Mahesh Anand of The Open University shares his discoveries from research carried out on samples of Moon rocks.
External link
Week Six
Week Seven
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Icy bodies: Europa and elsewhere
The new discipline of astrobiology that is, the science of searching for extraterrestrial life, is not only rapidly growing, but has also captured the public imagination. This free course, Icy bodies: Europa and elsewhere, examines the emergence of icy satellites of distant planets as potential sites of extraterrestrial life, looks at the ...
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Week Eight
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Dallas Campbell meets Frank Drake
If there are other intelligent cultures around the universe, why haven't we met them yet? And why haven't we heard from them? Frank Drake explains.
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Meet the academic
Discover more about Moons...
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Moon Trumps: Pitch satellite against satellite
Become a master of the universe by winning Moon Trumps.
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The Moon
As the only planetary body everyone is familiar with seeing in the sky, the Moon has long been an object of fascination and speculation. This free course will teach you about the nearest planetary body to Earth: the missions to the Moon, the basic facts of its composition, the cratering on its surface, and the ancient eruptions that flooded many...
Free course
6 hours
Level: 1 Introductory
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nQuire Explore the Moon - OpenScience Lab
Investigate samples of Moon rock with our Virtual Microscope.
External link
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Mythbusting moons
Would we have tides if we had no Moon? Is a ‘supermoon’ an important event? Can moons have moons? Enjoy this short animation.
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Level: 1 Introductory
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Galaxies, stars and planets
This free course, Galaxies, stars and planets, is a general introduction, including scale of the universe from the very large to the very small; orbits and gravity; the Solar System; the Sun and other stars; galaxies and the composition of astronomical objects.
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Succeed with study
A free course is a great way to get an idea of what it's like to study at the Open University - if you haven't studied for a while, these resources might be helpful.
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Succeed with maths – Part 1
If you feel that maths is a mystery that you want to unravel then this short course is for you.
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Essay and report writing skills
Writing reports and assignments can be a daunting prospect. Learn how to interpret questions and how to plan, structure and write your assignment or report. This free course, Essay and report writing skills, is designed to help you develop the skills you need to write effectively for academic purposes.
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Reading and note taking – preparation for study
Reading and note taking are two essential study skills. How do you read? This free course, Reading and note taking preparation for study, will introduce you to different techniques to help you to alter the way you read according to the type of material you are studying. You will also learn the techniques behind successful note taking and how to...
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