For the first time in human history, we know that planets around other stars not only exist, but are common! BUx’s new course on Alien Worlds focuses on the search and characterization of planets orbiting other stars (called extrasolar planets or “exoplanets”).

With an effort of just six hours per week, the course aims to teach some of the techniques used to discover the thousands of known exoplanets and how basic scientific tools can be used to characterize the sizes, masses, compositions, and atmospheres of exoplanets. The diversity of stars in the Galaxy to understand how stellar properties affect exoplanet detection techniques and influence planetary formation and habitability will also form a part of the course curriculum.

The course starts on June 2, 2015 and one can enrol here: https://www.edx.org/course/alien-worlds-science-exoplanet-discovery-bux-astr105x-0

Taught by BUx over a period of nine weeks, Alien Worlds will leave students with a better understanding of their place in the Universe and the skills to comprehend the wealth of new discoveries surrounding the countless worlds around distant stars.