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Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy

University of Arizona

About this Course

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This is an introductory level course about the history and philosophy of astronomy, the oldest science. We'll look at how humans learned to ask questions about the universe, and even before the invention of modern instruments like the telescope, learned some amazing things about their place in nature. We will start with prehistoric cultures who kept accurate calendars and move through the time of the Greek philosophers who laid down the rudiments of logic and mathematics and the modern scientific method. We'll then examine the revolutions of Copernicus, Galileo,  and Newton that redefined our place in the universe. We will then learn about the revolutions in physics in the early 20th century that redefined our ideas of space and time, mass and energy. Finally, we will discuss how modern cosmology has shown us that we live in an ancient universe (14 billion years old), in one galaxy in a universe of hundreds of billions of galaxies. At the end, will ask questions that don't necessarily have answers. What came before the Big Bang? Is there anything outside our universe? What is reality? We'll finish by looking at the role of life in the universe and ask whether the earth is the only place with biology on it.

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

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Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

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Beginner Level

No experience necessary

Approx. 32 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Beginner Level

No experience necessary

Approx. 32 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.8/5 (10 Ratings)

Chris Impey

Distinguished Professor

Astronomy

227,558 Learners

3 Courses

Offered by

University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is the state’s land-grant university and a member of the Association of American Universities—made up of just 62 universities in the country. As one of the world’s premier public research universities, the university conducts more than $625 million of research annually. Home to two allopathic medical schools in Tucson and Phoenix, the UA Tech Park, and a member of the Arizona Space Grant Consortium, the university creates an $8.3 billion economic impact for Arizona. U.S. News and World Report placed 14 University of Arizona graduate programs among the top 20 in the nation and it is one of the nation’s top producers of Fulbright Scholars. With its strategic academic and business plan, “Never Settle,” as its guide, the university is producing graduates who are global citizens, engaged leaders, and fulfilled individuals.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

1 hour to complete

Welcome to Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 5 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzes

Week2

Week 2

5 hours to complete

Prehistory and Greek Science

5 hours to complete

12 videos (Total 149 min)

12 videos

Ancient Astronomy11mModern Era15mCalendars17mDaily Motion9mAnnual Motion13mMoon and Eclipses13mBirth of Science12mEarly Greeks14mLate Greeks7mQualities of Science13mReasoning and Uncertainty12mEvidence7m

6 practice exercises

Ancient Astronomy, Modern Era10mCalendars10mDaily Motion, Annual Motion, Moon and Eclipses10mBirth of Science, Early Greeks, Late Greeks10mQualities of Science, Reasoning and Uncertainty, Evidence10mReflective Quiz: Checking In With Your Goals30m

Week3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

The Copernican Revolution

4 hours to complete

14 videos (Total 158 min)

14 videos

Chinese Astronomy7mMayan Astronomy11mMedieval and Islam15mEuropean Rebirth11mCopernicus11mTycho Brahe14mKepler13mGalileo12mEarly Telescope11mCopernican Model5mGalileo and the Church14mTelescope Basics5mLimitations/Solutions12mLarge Telescopes9m

6 practice exercises

Chinese Astronomy, Mayan Astronomy, Medieval and Islam10mEuropean Rebirth, Copernicus 10mTycho Brahe, Kepler10mGalileo, Early Telescope, Copernican Model10mGalileo and the Church10mTelescope Basics, Limitations & Solutions, Large Telescopes10m

Week4

Week 4

4 hours to complete

The Golden Age of Science

4 hours to complete

14 videos (Total 134 min)

14 videos

Copernican Revolution10mDescartes6mNewton9mGravity11mPhysics10mFlowering of Science8mModern Science3mCyclic Time9mLinear Time6mEntropy12mGeological Time12mBiological Evolution18mAge of the Earth9mTimeline4m

7 practice exercises

Copernican Revolution, Descartes10mNewton, Gravity, Physics10mFlowering of Science, Modern Science10mCyclic Time, Linear Time10mEntropy, Geological Time10mBiological Evolution, Age of the Earth, Timeline10mReflective Quiz: Checking In Halfway30m

Week5

Week 5

5 hours to complete

Mapping Space and Time

5 hours to complete

12 videos (Total 197 min)

12 videos

Enlightenment12mTelescopes14mTimekeeping12mSolar System13mMilky Way25mScientific Method21mAlbert Einstein11mSpace and Time14mCurved Space8mGeneral Relativity20mBlack Holes25mGravitational Waves16m

6 practice exercises

Enlightenment10mTelescopes, Timekeeping10mSolar System, Milky Way, Scientific Method 10mAlbert Einstein, Space and Time10mCurved Space, General Relativity10mBlack Holes, Gravitational Waves10m

Week6

Week 6

4 hours to complete

Theory of Atoms and Stars

4 hours to complete

12 videos (Total 162 min)

Week7

Week 7

5 hours to complete

The Expanding Universe

5 hours to complete

13 videos (Total 182 min)

Week8

Week 8

3 hours to complete

Life Beyond the Earth

3 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 99 min)

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy

Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy

About this Course