Learn about the science behind the current exploration of the solar system in this free class. Use principles from physics, chemistry, biology, and geology to understand the latest from Mars, comprehend the outer solar system, ponder planets outside our solar system, and search for habitability in our neighborhood and beyond. This course is generally taught at an advanced level assuming a prior knowledge of undergraduate math and physics, but the majority of the concepts and lectures can be understood without these prerequisites. The quizzes and final exam are designed to make you think critically about the material you have learned rather than to simply make you memorize facts. The class is expected to be challenging but rewarding.
The Science of the Solar System
Overview
Syllabus
- Unit 1: Water on Mars (week 1)
- Unit 1: Water on Mars (week 2)
- Unit 1: Water on Mars (week 3)
- Unit 2: The insides of giant planets (week 1)
- Unit 2: The insides of giant planets (week 2)
- Unit 3: Big questions from small bodies (week 1)
- Unit 3: Big questions from small bodies (week 2)
- Unit 4: Life in the solar system (week 1)
- Unit 4: Life in the solar system and beyond (week 2)
- Final exam
Taught by
Mike Brown
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Reviews
4.8 rating, based on 52 Class Central reviews
4.8 rating at Coursera based on 788 ratings
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Very well presented course. Plenty of optional material for those who want even more depth of knowledge. Quite challenging for my 40-year-old high school maths and physics but oh so satisfying when I finished the course!
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The typing on coursera is reversing my font on this course.
The course is not user friendly.
It is not my fault.
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Mike is a great teacher, and his lectures were excellent. His enthusiasm for the material shows. The chance to learn from someone at this level is fantastic.
He finally has convinced me that it was necessary to reclassify Pluto.
Unfortunately, it was difficult to navigate the homework, especially without a book, and just your notes from the videos. I have never been the best note taker. It would have really helped if there had been an online book, or even a PDF with the important math & formulas, plus text to reinforce the lectures and the important concepts. Perhaps future students could build a Wiki to go with the class. -
This is a fantastic class! I love how Mike Brown not only shows what is known about the planets, but how we know it, what were the scientific papers, measurements, and experiments that led to that knowledge. I also greatly appreciated that the mathematics and equations were covered, which for me meant I felt like I understood what was presented in a deeper way than a typical introduction to planetary science class. Each video lecture is from 10 - 30 minutes long, and they are structured like a good mystery novel where you always want to know what happens next. I found it quite addictive and can't recommend it highly enough!
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This was my first astronomy course and I enjoyed it immensely. Prof. Brown gives the class depth and warmth. There is even some humorous moments. Although I didn't do well on the quizzes, I found the lectures very interesting. I had a difficult time waiting for the next set of videos to be released! I would highly recommend this course for anyone, even the beginner. There are some points that you may not understand, but there is lots of information that you will. In the end this course will at the very least spark interest in the night sky above. Thank you to Prof. Brown and his guest lecturers for putting this course together.
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Fantastic course, extremely well presented by Professor Mike Brown. Prof Brown is an inspirational educator who is passionate about his subject and very engaging.
I found the course difficult in places due to my lack of understanding of physics, but I made it through and still managed to score 95%!
If you are interested in finding out more about the Solar System with current updates added as new information is discovered, then take this course - you will not regret it - time well spent. -
Joe BerryThis was one hell of a course. I learned a tremendous amount about our solar system. I liked the way Dr Mike Brown broke up the class, first about Mars, then the outer planets, then the the really small objects, etc. He ended with a fascinating set of lectures about whether there might be life in our solar system to the possibility of life outside of our solar system. This was not a philosophical type lecture; rather he presented the facts of what was required for life and how to detect life, etc.
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A fantastic run through of the current state of scientific knowledge of the solar system. Don't expect the homework to be easy, even if the course is free it is a course from Cal Tech, one of the top schools on the planet and the questions are designed to make you think rather than just parrot a fact from the lectures in reply. Prof Brown even gave us the question sets he gave the on campus students to play with for fun.
Prof is very engaged in the forums and there was loads to learnt on there as well. -
This class was like a good book. You turn the first page, and there is no return. Mike Brown made accessible to all a quite difficult subject. I have no scientific background, but yet managed to stick with it to the end. It was one of those memorable classes where the chemistry between participants and Prof was at the very top. I can't wait to attend this class again next year, just for the fun.
What are you waiting for? Sign now, you will not regret it. Have fun! -
If you are interested in the solar system and exoplanets, you will find this course fascinating. Mike Brown works at the front lines of planetary science, and is an engaging speaker who cares deeply about the subject. The video lectures are carefully edited and the pacing is excellent.
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A very satisfying class. The lectures were accompanied but non required readings which went into lots more detail. Professor was quick to respond to online discussions and worked hard to make the quizzes challenging but fair. Of the four online classes I have taken this is the best so far. I learned much about our solar system and how it formed. A solid high school level of math and the sciences is reccomended.
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This class has to be the BEST class I have ever taken- MOOC or otherwise! Instructor was engaging and really presented a great deal of difficult information in a manner that was easy to follow and learn. I would highly recommend this class to everyone- whether or not you are math inclined. I can't say enough good things about it!
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I found the lectures interesting and very enjoyable with very detailed explanation of various astronomical concepts. However, watch out for the homework (quizzes). They are challenging, not just asking you to provide an answer but to think about the question, often requiring you to think about the question and identify which one among several answers is not correct.
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This is a great course, the density of information can seem too heavy sometimes, but definitely worth finishing! There is a lot to learn about planets and other bodies in our Solar System, so I would recommend it to everybody who is interested in that subject. Mike Brown is an excellent lecturer, and this course is definitely worth checking out.
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Em DaProfThis is a very interesting course and Mike Brown is AWESOME. He explains everything clearly and really makes you think. The homework and courses are very well paced. I didn't know much about the solar system before and I found myself wishing the course would go on and on. Thanks, Mike! -
This course give you the privilege to see the sky through the scientific way. You will learn all the latest data about our solar system from the inspired and expert prof Brown. Simply the best!!
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Nice course, supported by scientfic papers and observations. Mike is fun, easy to follow. It will take you from Mars to the fringes of the solar System, focusing at the end on the posibilities of life on another planets.
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Fast paced and in depth the course reveals a lot about Mars, Jupiter, small bodies in the solar system and planets around other stars. The focus is on how to study them - i.e. the science needed to understand them.
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I thought it was a nicely done class, with well-organized units. Some of the homework problems were a bit tricky in my opinion, but they highlighted the material.
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It's brilliant!
Good college level challenge. Solid scientific background and interesting information. Guest lecturers take us into their scientific work and share their enthusiasm with us.
