Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered how everything fits together—how stars move, why the Moon changes shape, what galaxies really are, or how the universe began? Foundations of Astronomy is your guided journey through the cosmos, designed to give you a clear, intuitive, and scientifically accurate understanding of the universe and our place within it.

This course begins with the big picture: how science works and how astronomers use evidence, observation, and the language of light to explore the cosmos. You’ll learn to read the sky like a scientist—understanding star motions, the celestial sphere, the ecliptic, and the rhythmic dance of Earth, Sun, and Moon that shapes our seasons, tides, and eclipses. Through modern simulations, NASA visualizations, and clear conceptual explanations, you’ll see abstract ideas come to life.

As you advance, you’ll uncover the hidden messages carried by light. We’ll explore the electromagnetic spectrum, spectroscopy, atomic structure, and the Doppler effect—tools that let astronomers measure the temperature, composition, motion, and evolution of distant stars and galaxies. You’ll also dive into the instruments that make modern astronomy possible, from backyard telescopes to orbiting observatories.

With these foundations, we turn to the stars themselves. You’ll examine the structure of the Sun, the nature of starlight, the H‑R diagram, and the full life cycle of stars—from their birth in vast clouds of gas and dust to their incredible final acts as white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes. Along the way, you’ll watch visually rich animations that reveal how stars evolve, age, and shape the universe.

The journey continues outward to the Milky Way, galaxy types across the cosmos, quasars, dark matter, and the large‑scale structure of the universe. You’ll discover how astronomers measure galactic distances, how we know the universe is expanding, and how the Big Bang, cosmic microwave background, and inflation help explain the origin and evolution of everything you see.

Finally, you’ll return home—to the solar system. You’ll explore planetary surfaces, atmospheres, the origin of the solar system, asteroids, comets, and rings. You’ll learn how scientists discover planets around other stars, what conditions make life possible, and what modern astrobiology tells us about the search for life beyond Earth.

By the end of this course, you won’t just know facts about astronomy—you’ll understand the story of the universe in a deep and meaningful way. You’ll see how the pieces fit together: light, gravity, motion, stars, galaxies, planets, and life. Most importantly, you’ll walk away with a lasting sense of curiosity, perspective, and wonder about the cosmos.

Whether you’re a complete beginner, a lifelong learner, a student preparing for astronomy classes, or simply someone who loves the night sky, this course offers a clear, engaging, and visually compelling path into the science of the universe.

Your journey through the cosmos starts here.

How You’ll Learn

• Concept first: plain‑language explanations with correct terminology

• Visual reinforcement: animations, NASA media, and data‑driven demos

• Practice and reflection: activities embedded to cement understanding

• Scaffolded depth: “Deeper Look” lectures for the core, tricky topics

Concept first: plain‑language explanations with correct terminology

Visual reinforcement: animations, NASA media, and data‑driven demos

Practice and reflection: activities embedded to cement understanding

Scaffolded depth: “Deeper Look” lectures for the core, tricky topics