Course Summary
This course explores the possibility of life on other planets and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Students will learn about the conditions necessary for life to exist, the tools used to search for life beyond Earth, and the scientific and philosophical implications of the discovery of extraterrestrial life.Key Learning Points
- Learn about the conditions necessary for life to exist on other planets
- Explore the tools used to search for extraterrestrial intelligence
- Examine the scientific and philosophical implications of the discovery of extraterrestrial life
Related Topics for further study
- Astrobiology
- Extraterrestrial Intelligence
- Life in the Universe
- Search for Extraterrestrial Life
- Philosophical Implications
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the conditions necessary for life to exist on other planets
- Evaluate the tools used to search for extraterrestrial intelligence
- Examine the scientific and philosophical implications of the discovery of extraterrestrial life
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Basic knowledge of astronomy and physics
- Familiarity with scientific research methods
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Online
- Self-paced
Similar Courses
- Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
- Exoplanets
- Introduction to Astronomy
Related Education Paths
Notable People in This Field
- Carl Sagan
- Neil deGrasse Tyson
Related Books
Description
Are we alone? This course introduces core concepts in astronomy, biology, and planetary science that enable the student to speculate scientifically about this profound question and invent their own solar systems.
All the features of this course are available for free. It does not offer a certificate upon completion.
Outline
- Introduction
- Welcome
- Course Overview
- Keep in Touch
- The Universe is Big!
- Introduction
- Planets, Stars and the Milky Way
- From Galaxies to the Big Bang
- What is Life?
- Introduction
- The Main Components
- How Do We Know it When We See it?
- Why is Mercury Hot?
- Physics Overview
- Energy Conservation and the Temperature of Planets
- Habitable Zone and Goldilocks
- Snowball Earth
- Albedo and the Faint Sun Problem
- Feedbacks and Stability
- Snowball Earth
- Planetary Atmospheres
- Bulk Properties of Materials
- Kinetic Theory
- Hydrostatic Equilibrium
- Mercury and Venus
- Mercury
- Magnetic Fields
- Venus
- Interview with Sean Solomon
- Mars
- Basics
- Mars and Water
- Our Past and Our Future?
- The Moon
- Basics
- Craters
- Tides
- Small Bodies of the Solar System
- Comets and Asteroids
- Solar System Moons
- Saturn
- Kepler’s Law and Search for Extrasolar Planets
- Kepler’s Laws and Search for Extrasolar Planets Part I
- Kepler’s Laws and Search for Extrasolar Planets Part II
- Kepler’s Laws and Search for Extrasolar Planets Part III
- Interview with Debra Fischer
- Interview with Freeman Dyson
- Kepler and Transits
- Transits of Venus
- Extrasolar Transits
- Exoplanet Zoo
- Einstein and the Search for Planets
- General Relativity
- Microlensing
- Stability
- Interview with John Johnson
- Properties of Stars
- Basic Concepts
- Properties of Light
- Physical Properties
- Stellar Evolution
- Stellar Structure
- Nuclear Fusion
- Evolution
- Quantum Mechanics and Fingerprinting Planets
- Height of Mountains
- Atoms
- Jupiter and Brown Dwarfs
- Optics and Imaging Planets
- Optics and Light
- Telescopes
- Imaging Planets
- Interview with Emily Rauscher
- Formation of the Earth and the Origin of Water
- Angular Momentum
- Protoplanetary Disks
- Diversity of Planetary Systems
- Biochemistry of Life
- Simple Ingredients
- Amino Acids to Proteins
- Proteins to Cells
- Is Earth Special? Origin of Life
- Synthesizing Life
- Origin of Cells
- Extraterrestrial Origin?
- Evolution of Life
- Inevitability of Evolution
- Sex and its Alternatives
- Tree of Life
- Extremophiles
- Yellowstone National Park
- Other Examples
- Evolution and Astrobiology
- Extinctions
- Dinosaurs
- The Other Four Great Extinctions
- Fate of Humanity
- What makes a Habitable Planet?
- The Faint Sun Problem
- Goldilocks Problem
- Habitable Zone
- Habitable Zone, Fermi Paradox & SETI
- SETI
- Interstellar Travel
- Fermi Paradox
- Interview with Tullis Onstott
- Interview with Lisa Kaltenegger
Summary of User Reviews
Explore the possibility of life on other planets with this fascinating course on Coursera. Users rave about the engaging lectures and excellent resources provided. Many found the guest lectures to be a highlight, providing unique insight into the topic.Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
Guest lecturesPros from User Reviews
- Engaging and informative lectures
- Excellent resources provided
- Great for beginners and experts alike
- Interactive quizzes and assignments
- Flexible schedule
Cons from User Reviews
- Some technical issues with the platform
- Limited interaction with instructors
- Not enough practical applications
- Could benefit from more hands-on activities
- Some users found the course too basic
David Spergel
4.7 Raiting
Imagining Other Earths
- 4.7
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Are we alone? All the features of this course are available for free. It does not offer a certificate upon completion....
