article icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Astrobiology on OpenLearn
Astrobiology explores whether there might be life elsewhere in the Universe. We've got a fantastic range of FREE resources on OpenLearn so that you can learn more about this fascinating area.
article icon
Education & Development
The importance of education for students in secure environments
Marina Postlethwaite Bowler looks at the benefits of education for students in secure environments (SiSE) and the challenges faced by SiSE learners.
article icon
Science, Maths & Technology
A new mission to the icy moons of Jupiter
In April 2023, the European Space Agency launched the JUICE (JUpiter ICy Moons Explorer) mission. JUICE will explore the environment around Jupiter and study its three icy moons (Ganymede, Europa and Callisto). Could moons like these, orbiting giant gas planets, be habitable?
article icon
History & The Arts
Virtual reality, 19th Century style: The history of the panorama and balloon view
Across the late 18th and 19th centuries, the public embraced the magic of the panorama - a clamour which owed a lot to the popularity of hot air ballooning.
article icon
History & The Arts
Star Wars: May the Course be with you
You don't have to be in a galaxy far, far away to learn more about Star Wars. Let the force awaken your curiosity and explore now...
free course icon
level 3: advanced icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Introduction to complex analysis
This free course, Introduction to complex analysis, is an extract from the third level Open University course M337 Complex Analysis, which develops the theory of functions of a complex variable, emphasising their geometric properties and indicating some applications.
activity icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Meteoric
Rocks hurtling through space shape the surface of the moons and planets as collide – and now you can use your skill and knowledge to make your own mark. Can you cover a target percentage of a planet or a moon’s surface with impact craters – by choosing meteroids based on size, make-up and speed and aiming them at your chosen target.
article icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Between humanity and space
Dr Natalie Trevino recently joined AstrobiologyOU at the Open University as a post-doctoral researcher in space ethics. Her research considers the future of space exploration and the relationship of humans and space. She reflected on how she came to AstrobiologyOU and her plans for future work, in conversation with Ann Grand, a fellow member of ...
activity icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Angel Breed
Understand the basic rules of genetics and see if you can breed the rarest fish in our biology game.
article icon
Nature & Environment
Why is snow so hard to predict?
New York famously faced a snowmageddon in 2015 which didn't appear. Just why do forecasters struggle to predict snow?
article icon
Science, Maths & Technology
How our brain changes as we grow old: the Blood Brain Barrier breakdown
What's the Blood Brain Barrier and how does studying this help us to find out more about diseases associated with ageing such as Alzheimer’s? OU research student, Eduardo Frias-Anaya explains:
video icon
Science, Maths & Technology
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.