Astro 101: Black Holes
Dive into the mysteries of black holes: from fundamental principles to the latest scientific discoveries in space.
Dive into the mysteries of black holes: from fundamental principles to the latest scientific discoveries in space.
This course, offered by the University of Alberta, provides a comprehensive introduction to black holes, covering their properties, formation, and detection. Students will learn about the life cycle of stars, relativity theory, and quantum mechanics as they relate to black holes. The course explores various types of black holes, from stellar-mass to supermassive, and discusses recent discoveries in gravitational wave astronomy. Through engaging lectures and interviews with experts, students will gain insights into current black hole research and its implications for our understanding of the universe.
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What you'll learn
Describe the essential properties of black holes and their formation processes
Explain recent black hole research using plain language and appropriate analogies
Compare black holes in popular culture to modern physics, distinguishing fact from fiction
Apply fundamental physical concepts to explain observed astronomical phenomena
Differentiate between types of black holes and their detection methods
Summarize current puzzles and debates in black hole research
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
12.08 Hours PreRecorded video
10 quizzes
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
FullTime access
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There are 10 modules in this course
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of black holes, covering their fundamental properties, formation, and detection methods. Over ten modules, students will journey from the basics of astronomy and physics to the cutting-edge research in black hole science. The curriculum begins with an introduction to black holes and their place in popular culture, then delves into the life cycle of stars to understand how black holes form. Students will explore key concepts in physics, including special and general relativity, which are crucial for understanding black hole behavior. The course covers various types of black holes, from stellar-mass to supermassive, and examines their effects on surrounding space and matter. Advanced topics include quantum mechanics applied to black holes, Hawking radiation, and the latest discoveries in gravitational wave astronomy. Throughout the course, students will learn about observational techniques used to study black holes and gain insights into current research questions and debates in the field.
Introduction to Black Holes
Module 1 · 3 Hours to complete
Life and Death of a Star
Module 2 · 1 Hours to complete
The Structure of Spacetime
Module 3 · 1 Hours to complete
Sizing Up Black Holes
Module 4 · 1 Hours to complete
Approaching a Black Hole
Module 5 · 1 Hours to complete
Crossing the Event Horizon
Module 6 · 1 Hours to complete
Inside a Black Hole
Module 7 · 1 Hours to complete
Hunting for Black Holes
Module 8 · 1 Hours to complete
Our Eyes in the Skies
Module 9 · 1 Hours to complete
Riding the Gravity Wave
Module 10 · 2 Hours to complete
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Instructor
Professor
Sharon Morsink earned an Honours Physics BSc from the University of Waterloo and a PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of Alberta, with both her theses focused on the theoretical aspects of black holes. Following her graduation, she worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she also taught her first course, first-year astronomy. After three years, she returned to Edmonton, Alberta, and began her position as a professor. Over the years, she has taught a wide range of courses in physics and astronomy and conducted research on neutron stars and black holes.
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4.8 course rating
1,085 ratings
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