In the Night Sky: Orion
Explore the night sky, discover how stars are formed and find out about exoplanets, all through the constellation of Orion.
48,351 enrolled on this course
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
3 hours100% online
How it works
In the Night Sky: Orion
From the basics of astronomy to the science behind the birth of a star, this course will change the way you see the night sky.
Starting with Orion’s famous nebula, where new stars and planets are formed, you’ll take a look at the seven brightest stars that make up this constellation using high-quality images from telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope.
You’ll find out about exoplanets, which may hold the secrets to life outside of the solar system, the galaxy Milky Way, of which our solar system is but one small part and the history of the universe from the Big Bang to the present.
All Open University Science short courses presented on FutureLearn are produced with the kind support of Dangoor Education.
What topics will you cover?
- Find the constellation of Orion in the night sky
- Learn all about the legend of Orion
- Discover how the constellations were used for navigation
- Discover the amazing process that causes stars to form
- Find out what happens to different stars over their lifetime
- Learn what happens when stars run out of fuel
- Find out what the night sky can reveal about the Big Bang theory
- Get involved with classifying galaxies into different shapes
- Take a tour of space through the PIRATE telescope
- Find out what is important about the Earth’s position
- Discuss whether you think there are other planets just like ours
- Find out about The Open University’s project to map the stars
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Apply facts, concepts, principles, theories, classification systems and language used in astronomy
- Develop the knowledge and understanding of the range of sizes, distances and motions of objects in the night sky
- Develop the knowledge and understanding of the structure, evolution and the main processes operating in stars
- Develop the knowledge and understanding of the properties of planets in our Solar System and exoplanetary systems
- Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of the history of the Universe
Who is the course for?
You do not need a professional telescope for this course, but you may find at least a pair of binoculars extremely useful.
No prior experience of the subject is required.
Who will you learn with?
I have been teaching, and learning, astronomy for over 40 years, half of them at the OU.
I research asteroids, comets and interplanetary dust with space missions telescopes and laboratory experiments.
I am a researcher in planetary & space sciences at the OU, interested in comets, asteroids and meteorites, and what they can tell us about the Solar System. Asteroid 4731 is named Monicagrady.
Who developed the course?
The Open University
As the UK’s largest university, The Open University (OU) supports thousands of students to achieve their goals and ambitions via supported distance learning, helping to fit learning around professional and personal life commitments.
Established
1969Location
Milton Keynes, UKWorld ranking
Top 510Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020
Endorsers and supporters
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Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $69/one-off payment |
$189.99 for one year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 26 Feb 2023 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Tests to check your learning | tick | tick | cross |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$189.99 for one year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$69/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 26 Feb 2023
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 28 February 2023 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 28 February 2023 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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