Astrophysics for Beginners

Astrophysics for Beginners - an online course

Want to know your black holes from your Big Bang? Learn the basics of astrophysics with an award-winning astronomy author & experienced tutor

Your jargon and math(s) free introduction to astrophysics

This online beginners course is the perfect way to discover the wonders of our universe.

You’ll be joining me on a journey across the cosmos. Starting close to home, you’ll venture ever further out until you reach the very edge of the observable universe. Your trip will take in black holes, exploding stars, mysterious dark matter, alien planets and even the possibility of other versions of you in parallel universes.

What have previous students said?

Watch a sample video from the course

What will I learn?

Part 1: The Solar System

Key topics: solar physics, planetary science and solar system formation

Uncover the inner workings of the Sun, the origin of sunspots and the immense power of space weather. You’ll also find out where the solar system came from, why it looks the way it does, and where it ends and the rest of space begins.

Part 2: Stars & Alien Worlds

Key topics: exoplanets, the life cycle of stars & black holes

Discover the thousands of planets beyond our solar system and whether any of them could be home to life. You'll learn how stars and born, before dying to produce cataclysmic supernovas and gargantuan black holes.

Part 3: The Milky Way

Key topics: spiral galaxies, dark matter & the Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence

Investigate the origin of our galaxy's distinctive spiral arms, meet the supermassive black hole that lies at its heart and learn about the mysterious dark matter seemingly holding things together. We'll also examine the chances of finding advanced civilisations in the galaxy.

Part 4: Galaxies

Key topic: measuring cosmic distances

We’ll talk about the likely future collision between the Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy, as well as how galaxies cluster together to form the overall structure of the universe. I’ll also walk you through the various techniques we use to measure distances across the vast chasm of space.

Part 5: The Universe & The Big Bang

Key topics: the Big Bang, the multiverse, dark energy

See why we think that the universe started with a ‘Big Bang’ and that multiple Bangs could have led to an infinity of other yous in endless multiple universes.

We’ll also look into the future towards the ultimate fate of the universe, with dark energy currently ripping it apart.

Who is your tutor?

Colin Stuart

Astronomy author & speaker

Colin is a multi-award-winning astronomy author & speaker who has talked to over half a million people about the universe. His twenty books have sold more than 400,000 copies worldwide and been translated into 21 languages. He's also written over 250 popular science articles for publications including The Guardian, New Scientist, The Wall Street Journal & European Space Agency and he writes the Absolute Beginners column for Astronomy Now magazine.

As well as writing a book with the astronaut Tim Peake, the asteroid (15347) Colinstuart is named after him in recognition of his efforts to popularise astronomy. Colin’s awards include the Solar Physics Popular Media Award in 2022. A fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, he has also talked about space on Sky News, BBC News and Radio 5Live.

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Book your place now

(prices in GBP)

Astrophysics for Beginners

8 hour course
Broken down into bite-sized videos under 10 minutes long
Optional quizzes to test your newfound knowledge
Certificate upon completion

Buy now - £99

Add a signed book

include a signed copy of the book the course is partly based on

“I wish I could give it 6 stars. Such a perfect read. 10/10 on all fronts from organization of chapters, quality of content, quality of writing, subtle sprinkles of humour. No jargon and yet written in such a way that you don’t feel talked down to.”

- Goodreads Reviewer