Learn Astronomy – Intro to Astronomy Course
We are all made of star stuff. And in this introduction to astronomy, students discover just how that stuff wound up creating the universe around us. Filled with jaw-dropping views of the cosmos, this college-level course explores everything from the Big Bang to the fate of the universe—and every microcosm of space in between.
A New Way to Learn Astronomy
In Intro to Astronomy, students will:
- Explain how the methods of science are used to make astronomical discoveries
- Describe the motions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun and how they result in seasons, moon phases, and more
- Compare and contrast the physical properties of the planets in our Solar System
- Explore different types of galaxies we observe in the nearby and distant universe
Intro to Astronomy Course from Outlier by Savvas
Interactive, Mastery-Based Learning
Students enjoy cinematic lectures from top-rated instructors—all in a custom interface built by game designers and education experts to maximize student engagement and retention.
Ultimate Flexibility & Visibility
This turnkey asynchronous course adapts to your scheduling and staffing needs. Plus, educators get complete visibility into student progress with real-time monitoring, grade pacing, and forecasting.
Real College Course Worth Real College Credit From a Top 50 University
Students have reported successfully transferring their credits to academic institutions across the country—from community colleges to the Ivy League.
Discover the magic of learning with Intro to Astronomy
Watch the Trailer
Our universe, explored.
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Key Concepts
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Learning Outcomes
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Assessments
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Educator Support
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World-Class Instructors
Key Concepts Covered
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Introduction to Our Stellar Course
- A tour of the Universe
- Astronomy in history
- Astronomy and astrology
- Gathering, detecting, and interpreting light
- What is light?
- Light and matter
- Telescopes and instruments
- Analyzing starlight and stellar properties
- Measuring stellar properties
- Classifying stars and their spectra
- The Hertzsprung–Russell Diagram
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The Origin of the Solar System
- Solar system formation
- Planetary motion and orbits
- Observing the Sun
- The solar cycle and space weather
- Earth as a planet
- Our amazing Moon
- Properties and origin of the Moon
- Moon phases and eclipses
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The Inner and Outer Solar System
- Mercury: A planet of extremes
- Venus: Earth's sister planet
- Mars: The Red Planet
- The Jovian planets
- Mysterious outer moons
- Exoplanets
- Planets beyond our Solar System
- Astrobiology and life in the Universe
- The life cycles of stars
- Our galaxy: the Milky Way
- Characteristics of the Milky Way
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Galaxies & The Expanding Universe
- Galaxy basics
- The Big Bang
- Universe expansion and the cosmic microwave background
- Large-scale structure and cosmology
- Galaxy formation and evolution
- Quasars and their relatives
- The cosmic web
- Dark matter and dark energy
- Dark
Course Learning Outcomes
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Course Learning Outcomes
- Explain how the methods of science are used to make astronomical discoveries
- Describe the motions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun and how they result in seasons, moon phases, eclipses, and the apparent motion of celestial objects
- Explain the properties of light
- Describe the properties of telescopes used to observe the sky
- Describe the structure and composition of planets and planetary systems
- Characterize the gravitational interplay of the Sun and the planets in our Solar System
- Compare and contrast the physical properties of the planets in our Solar System, such as mass, orbit, and composition
- Identify the physical properties of stars and how astronomers calculate these properties
- Understand the techniques astronomers use to discover and identify planets orbiting other stars
- Describe the life cycle of stars
- Explain the basic characteristics and structural components of the Milky Way Galaxy
- List various types of galaxies we observe in the nearby and distant Universe
- Relate the existence of dark matter to the expansion of the Universe
- Describe theories of the end and beginning of the Universe
Assessments
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Quizzes and Exams
- Course quizzes and exams consist of multiple choice, true/false, select all that apply, matching, and open-response questions. All are autograded by the LMS, so educators can spend more time with students and less time grading.
Educator Support & Dashboard
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Access All Course MaterialEducators and administrators have full access to the Partner Dashboard and all course material from Day 1.
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View Course MilestonesEasy-to-use tools show milestone dates and deadlines for the cohort, as well as the full weekly course schedule.
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Monitor Student Progress in Real Time
Coach students throughout the course—from registration to the final exam—with complete reporting on their current course grades, assessment scores, and engagement with course material.
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Download Student Grades & ProgressEducators and administrators can download student grades and full progress report details in CSV format.
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Review Student Submissions for Graded AssessmentsEducators and administrators can view student-submitted answers to assignments, quizzes, and exams.
World-Class Instructors
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World-Class Instructors
We selected a constellation of instructors for their infectious passion for astronomy and their uncanny ability to bring complex scientific concepts to life.
- Jackie Faherty, Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History
- David Grinspoon, Ph.D., NASA
- Hakeem Oluseyi, Ph.D., Astronomical Society of the Pacific
- Michelle Thaller, Ph.D., NASA
Frequently Asked Questions About Intro to Astronomy
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How are Outlier courses structured?Outlier courses are divided into a series of chapters and sections. Each section contains cinematic video lectures and active learning (our interactive digital textbook) that help students learn the course content. Students demonstrate their knowledge on graded assessments, including mastery-based quizzes they can retake up to 5 times.
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Are there any course prerequisites?No.
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Are there any student eligibility requirements?
Students must be at least 13 years old. Students who enroll in an Outlier course should be ready for the academic rigor of college-level coursework and carefully consider their existing responsibilities and dedication.
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What technology does my school need to take Outlier courses?
Each student must have access to technology that meets the technical requirements noted in this Help Center article.
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What is the minimum/maximum enrollment?
All Outlier courses have unlimited enrollment, with no minimum or maximum. So they easily adapt to your scheduling and staffing needs.
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What support is available for educators?
Your educators get complete visibility into student progress in the Partner Dashboard, including:
- Progress monitoring based on the course syllabus and schedule
- Grade pacing and forecasting based on students’ performance
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Is the course completely online?Yes, Outlier courses are 100% online and asynchronous. Your students can learn during any class period—anywhere in the universe with Wi-Fi and a laptop or desktop computer.
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| IT Associate | Networking† Cybersecurity 1† Professional Communication * |
Cisco Certified Network Associate |
| Aerospace Technology | Aeronautics and Space Travel † Drones: Remote Pilot † |
FAA Part 107 Commercial Drone Pilot 3 college credits |
| Digital Marketing | Meta® Social Media * Adobe InDesign® † Professional Communication * |
Meta® Certified Digital Marketing Associate Adobe® Certified Professional in Print & Digital Media Publication using Adobe InDesign® 3 college credits |
* Outlier by Savvas Dual Enrollment