99 search results
John Napier
Science, Maths & Technology

John Napier

...astronomy and navigation. Napier’s ‘excellent brief rules’ were quickly adopted and improved upon. This OpenLearn course provides a sample of Level 2 study in Mathematics...This free course looks at Scotsman John Napier (1550-1617) and his invention which radically altered the course of mathematics. Napier dabbled in mathematics for over 40 years and near the end of...
View course John Napier
Level 2: Intermediate 3 hrs
What astronomical object was the Christmas Star?
Science, Maths & Technology

What astronomical object was the Christmas Star?

...Astronomy Observatories (NRAO) in the United States. This remnant is thought to be associated with the supernova observed by Tycho Brahe in 1592. It is interesting to look back and consider the ‘star’ that has been documented, painted, and sung about for two thousand years, and to ponder what kind of astronomical object it could be. Perhaps this Christmas we should...
View article What astronomical object was the Christmas Star?
Article 5 mins
Fossil evidence for evolution
History & The Arts

Fossil evidence for evolution

...But once you start reading Genesis as scientifically valid, you have bad science and bad religion". To put it bluntly, the contributions of creationists to discussions of evolution today are on a par with what astrologers have to say about astronomy, or crystal healing folk about mineralogy. This year, indeed, we may say that they are exactly 150 years behind the times!...
View article Fossil evidence for evolution
Article 10 mins
In the night sky: Orion
Science, Maths & Technology

In the night sky: Orion

...astronomy and stargazing, to the science behind the birth of a star, this four-week course will change the way you see the night sky. You’ll examine one of the most famous constellations, Orion, who the Ancient Greeks believed was a huntsman placed among the stars by Zeus himself. Starting with its famous nebula where new stars and planets are being formed, you’ll...
View course In the night sky: Orion
Level 1: Introductory 24 hrs
53 things you never knew about OpenLearn
Education & Development

53 things you never knew about OpenLearn

...Astronomy with an online telescope', you get to use The Open University’s own robotic telescope facility COAST sited on the island of Tenerife. How cool is that? …And finally, for those of you with a dirty mind, we'll let you know our free course with the most hilarious title. Who says toilet humour isn’t funny?! May we introduce you to Analysing Skid Marks?...
View article 53 things you never knew about OpenLearn
Article 20 mins
An introduction to exoplanets Badge icon
Science, Maths & Technology

An introduction to exoplanets

...astronomy. During this course you will learn about this fascinating subject. First, in Week 1, you’ll start by looking at the ‘building blocks’ of the Universe: stars, planets, planetary systems and galaxies, and how they relate to each other. You will understand the location within the Universe of our own planet Earth and our Solar System, along with the thousands...
View course An introduction to exoplanets
Level 1: Introductory 24 hrs
What are waves?
Science, Maths & Technology

What are waves?

...Astronomy, the Physics and Astronomy Animation Project at Penn State University. Available at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=7cDAYFTXq3E (Accessed 19 June 2019). Wave interference and beat frequency (2016) Open-source, interactive, educational demonstrations provided by Academo. [Online]. Available at: https://academo.org/ demos/ wave-interference-beat-frequency/...
View course What are waves?
Level 1: Introductory 3 hrs
Introduction to active galaxies
Science, Maths & Technology

Introduction to active galaxies

...Astronomy...Introduction to active galaxies: Learning outcomes - After studying this course, you should be able to: explain how and why the optical spectrum of an active or starburst galaxy differs from that of a normal galaxy explain how and why the broadband spectrum of an active or starburst galaxy differs from that of a normal galaxy describe briefly the observed...
View course Introduction to active galaxies
Level 2: Intermediate 20 hrs