Exploring Other Earths: Astrobiology & Planetary Science
Explore the science of potential alien worlds in this course on astronomy, biology, and planetary science. Speculate about extraterrestrial life.
Explore the science of potential alien worlds in this course on astronomy, biology, and planetary science. Speculate about extraterrestrial life.
Are we alone in the universe? This fascinating course delves into core concepts of astronomy, biology, and planetary science to help students explore this profound question. Led by Professor David Spergel, the course introduces learners to the vast scale of the universe, from our solar system to distant galaxies. Students will examine the definition of life, study planetary atmospheres and temperatures, and investigate the potential for habitable worlds beyond Earth. The course covers a wide range of topics, including the physics of planetary formation, the search for extrasolar planets, and the biochemistry of life. Participants will learn about extremophiles, mass extinctions, and the factors that make a planet habitable. The course culminates in discussions about the search for technologically advanced life and the implications of the Fermi Paradox. Through this journey, students will gain the tools to speculate scientifically about the existence of other Earth-like planets and even invent their own solar systems.
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What you'll learn
Understand the scale and structure of the universe, from our solar system to distant galaxies
Explore the definition of life and the basic building blocks of biochemistry
Learn about planetary atmospheres, temperatures, and the concept of habitable zones
Study the formation and evolution of stars and planets
Investigate methods for detecting and characterizing extrasolar planets
Examine the origins and evolution of life on Earth, including extremophiles
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
25 Hours PreRecorded video
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
FullTime access
Shareable certificate
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There are 25 modules in this course
Imagining Other Earths is an engaging course that explores the fascinating intersection of astronomy, biology, and planetary science to address one of humanity's most profound questions: Are we alone in the universe? Led by Professor David Spergel, this course takes students on a journey through the cosmos, introducing them to the fundamental concepts needed to speculate scientifically about the existence of life beyond Earth. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of our solar system to the search for extrasolar planets, from the definition of life to the study of extremophiles that thrive in harsh conditions. Students will learn about planetary atmospheres, the habitable zone, and the factors that make a planet suitable for life. The course also delves into the evolution of life on Earth, mass extinctions, and their implications for life elsewhere. Advanced topics include the search for technologically advanced civilizations and the puzzling Fermi Paradox. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to apply their knowledge creatively, even inventing their own solar systems. This comprehensive exploration equips learners with the tools to think critically about the possibility of other Earth-like planets and the potential for extraterrestrial life.
Introduction
Module 1 · 28 Minutes to complete
The Universe is Big!
Module 2 · 36 Minutes to complete
What is Life?
Module 3 · 29 Minutes to complete
Why is Mercury Hot?
Module 4 · 43 Minutes to complete
Snowball Earth
Module 5 · 44 Minutes to complete
Planetary Atmospheres
Module 6 · 33 Minutes to complete
Mercury and Venus
Module 7 · 1 Hours to complete
Mars
Module 8 · 40 Minutes to complete
The Moon
Module 9 · 2 Hours to complete
Small Bodies of the Solar System
Module 10 · 45 Minutes to complete
Kepler's Law and Search for Extrasolar Planets
Module 11 · 1 Hours to complete
Kepler and Transits
Module 12 · 44 Minutes to complete
Einstein and the Search for Planets
Module 13 · 1 Hours to complete
Properties of Stars
Module 14 · 48 Minutes to complete
Stellar Evolution
Module 15 · 2 Hours to complete
Quantum Mechanics and Fingerprinting Planets
Module 16 · 36 Minutes to complete
Optics and Imaging Planets
Module 17 · 1 Hours to complete
Formation of the Earth and the Origin of Water
Module 18 · 45 Minutes to complete
Biochemistry of Life
Module 19 · 47 Minutes to complete
Is Earth Special? Origin of Life
Module 20 · 48 Minutes to complete
Evolution of Life
Module 21 · 53 Minutes to complete
Extremophiles
Module 22 · 1 Hours to complete
Extinctions
Module 23 · 51 Minutes to complete
What makes a Habitable Planet?
Module 24 · 41 Minutes to complete
Habitable Zone, Fermi Paradox & SETI
Module 25 · 1 Hours to complete
Fee Structure
Instructor
Leading Astrophysicist and Chair of Princeton's Department of Astrophysics.
David Spergel is the Charles Young Professor of Astronomy on the Class of 1897 Foundation and Chair of the Department of Astrophysics at Princeton University. He is renowned for his contributions to the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) project, which played a crucial role in determining the age and composition of the universe. Currently, he serves as co-chair of NASA's Astrophysics Focused Telescope Assets (AFTA) science team, which aims to explore the nature of dark energy and directly image planets around nearby stars.
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4.7 course rating
389 ratings
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