Skip to content
Skip to main content
header search
ahihi OpenLearn
OpenLearn
Menu
sticky search
Free course

Astronomy: images of the Universe

Free statement of participation on completion
Astronomy: images of the Universe
More about this course

Course description

Course content

Course reviews

Modern astronomy utilises a range of techniques across the electromagnetic spectrum that allow astronomers to measure the brightness, size and shape of astronomical objects, as well as their structure in many cases. This free course enables you to explore multiwavelength images of the Universe and make your own measurements of stars, nebulae and galaxies using online tools and databases. You will explore the different types of nebulae in the Messier catalogue, considering their sizes and distances using an interactive Scales tool, and use a web tool called Chromoscope to survey the Milky Way in different wavebands.

This free course is an adapted extract from the Open University course S284 Astronomy.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

  • understand key ideas, concepts and principles in astronomy, applied to stars and galaxies, including multiwavelength observational methods
  • use appropriate searching, graphical, and mathematical methods to gather, analyse and interpret astronomical data and information
  • acquire and analyse scientific information from a wide range of sources.
Enter course

First Published: 13/02/2024

Updated: 13/02/2024

Skip Rate and Review

For further information, take a look at our frequently asked questions which may give you the support you need.

Have a question?
S284_1