Certificate of Achievement
has completed the following course:
This course visited the icy moons of the outer Solar System, travelled to its edges, and beyond into interstellar space into the realms of alien solar systems and exoplanets. It covered topics including the habitability of Europa, Enceladus and Titan, the edges of the Solar System, the Voyager probes and what lies beyond, stars, the diversity of exoplanets, a second Earth and the techniques used for hunting exoplanets.
3 weeks, 3 hours per week
Louisa Preston
Astrobiologist, geologist, author and UK Space Agency Research Fellow
FutureLearn
Transcript
Learning outcomes
- Investigate why exoplanets are so important
- Explain the significance of gas giants in the investigation of/search for Exoplanets
- Compare the main categories of exoplanet
- Describe the criteria to be considered an Earth-like planet
- Define the biosignatures searched for when investigating exoplanets
- Design and justify an extraterrestrial lifeform in accordance with given parameters
- Summarise key milestones in the history of searching for exoplanets
- Compare the key methods for searching for exoplanets
- Summarise the history and future of missions to exoplanets
Syllabus
Week 1: Icy moons
- Europa
- Enceladus
- Titan
Week 2: Leaving the Solar System
- The edges of the Solar System
- What lies beyond…
- Star light, star bright
Week 3: Exoplanets
- The diversity of exoplanets
- A second Earth
- Hunting for exoplanets
Issued on 30th May 2025
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This certificate represents proof of learning. It is not a formal qualification, degree, or part of a degree.