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Astrobiology: Exploring Other Worlds
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 24 hours
  • Course by University of Arizona
  • Offered by

About

How are astronomers approaching their search for life in the universe? What have we learned from the surge of exoplanets discoveries? How likely is it that Earth does not host the only life in the Universe? In this course we explore the field of astrobiology, an emerging multidisciplinary field. Progress in astrobiology is driven by telescopes on the ground and in space, and by new insights on how life emerged on Earth and its diversity. The topics in this course range from the science of how exoplanets are detected, to the chemistry that supports the argument that the ingredients for life are common in the Universe. We will follow the analyses of experts in chemistry, astronomy, geology and archaeology to build a strong foundation of understanding. By the final assignment, students will be equipped with the knowledge necessary to identify what makes a planet habitable, and how likely it is that life exists there. Students will graduate from this course informed about one of the most exciting fields in all of science, and ready to discuss the current exoplanet news stories and discoveries.

Modules

Introduction to the Course

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Welcome to Astrobiology: Exploring Other Worlds

1 Readings

  • Course Participation and Motivation Survey

Exoplanets

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Exoplanets

2 Videos

  • Introduction to Week 1 - Planets in the Solar System and Beyond
  • Exoplanets

Planet Formation

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Planet Formation

1 Videos

  • Planet Formation

Planets and Moons

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Planets and Moons

1 Videos

  • Planets and Moons

Our Solar System

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Our Solar System

1 Videos

  • Our Solar System

Hot Jupiters and Planet Migration

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Hot Jupiters and Planet Migration

1 Videos

  • Hot Jupiters and Planet Migration

Water Worlds

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Water Worlds

1 Videos

  • Water Worlds

The Census of Exoplanets in the Milky Way

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Census of Exoplanets in the Milky Way

1 Videos

  • Census of Exoplanets in the Milky Way

Gravity and the Doppler shift

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Gravity and the Doppler shift

2 Videos

  • Introduction to Week 2 - Hunting for Exoplanets
  • Gravity and the Doppler shift

The Radial Velocity Method

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Radial Velocity Method

1 Videos

  • The Radial Velocity Method

The Transit Method

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • The Transit Method

1 Videos

  • The Transit Method

Learning from Observations

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Learning from Observations

1 Videos

  • Learning from Observations

Planet Composition

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Planet Composition

1 Videos

  • Planet Composition

Microlensing, Imaging & Selection Effects

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Microlensing, Imaging & Selection Effects

1 Peer Review

  • Week 2 Writing Assignment - Discovering New Worlds

1 Videos

  • Microlensing, Imaging & Selection Effects

Cosmic Chemistry

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Cosmic Chemistry

2 Videos

  • Introduction to Week 3 - Habitability
  • Cosmic Chemistry

Essentials of Biological Life

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Essentials of Biological Life

1 Videos

  • Essentials of Biological Life

Defining the Habitable Zone

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Defining the Habitable Zone

1 Videos

  • Defining the Habitable Zone

The Lifetime of Stars

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • The Lifetime of Stars

1 Videos

  • The Lifetime of Stars

Stars & Exoplanets

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Stars & Exoplanets

1 Videos

  • Stars & Exoplanets

Exoplanet Habitability

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Exoplanet Habitability

1 Peer Review

  • Week 3 Writing Assignment - Identifying Habitable Worlds

1 Videos

  • Exoplanet Habitability

The Early Earth

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • The Early Earth

2 Videos

  • Introduction to Week 4 - Life
  • The Early Earth

The Atmosphere and Oceans

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • The Atmosphere and Oceans

1 Videos

  • The Atmosphere and Oceans

Defining Life

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Defining Life

1 Videos

  • Defining Life

Early Life on Earth

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Early Life on Earth

1 Videos

  • Early Life on Earth

Life at the Extreme

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Life at the Extreme

1 Videos

  • Life at the Extreme

Habitable Moons

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Habitable Moons

1 Videos

  • Habitable Moons

The Habitability of Mars

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • The Habitability of Mars

1 Videos

  • The Habitability of Mars

The Emergence of Cellular Life

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • The Emergence of Cellular Life

2 Videos

  • Introduction to Week 5 - Emerging Complex Life and Intelligence
  • The Emergence of Cellular Life

DNA & Genetics

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • DNA & Genetics

1 Videos

  • DNA & Genetics

Life in the Phanerozoic Eon

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Life in the Phanerozoic Eon

1 Videos

  • Life in the Phanerozoic Eon

Evolution

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Evolution

1 Videos

  • Evolution

Life on Earth

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Life on Earth

1 Videos

  • Life on Earth

Genus Homo

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Genus Homo

1 Peer Review

  • Week 5 Writing Assignment - Imagining Extra-Terrestrial Life

1 Videos

  • Genus Homo

Civilizations & Culture

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Civilizations & Culture

2 Videos

  • Introduction to Module 6 - SETI and Cosmic Companionship
  • Civilizations & Culture

Scientific Revolution

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Scientific Revolution

1 Videos

  • Scientific Revolution

Interstellar Communication

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Interstellar Communication

1 Videos

  • Interstellar Communication

SETI: The Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • SETI

1 Videos

  • SETI

The Drake Equation

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • The Drake Equation

1 Videos

  • The Drake Equation

Interstellar Travel

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Interstellar Travel

1 Videos

  • Interstellar Travel

Life as Computation

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Life as Computation

1 Videos

  • Life as Computation

Final Project - Exoplanet Mission Proposal

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 7 Assignment
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7 Assignment

  • Exoplanet Candidate Maya-186
  • Exoplanet Candidate Shishen-4
  • Exoplanet Candidate Tusi-1250
  • Exoplanet Candidate Lockyer-2
  • Exoplanet Candidate Cannon-01
  • Exoplanet Candidate Rubin-70
  • Exoplanet Candidate Samos-270

1 Peer Review

  • Week 6 Final Project - Exoplanet Mission Proposal

1 Videos

  • Exoplanet Mission Proposal - Overview

Auto Summary

Discover the fascinating field of astrobiology and explore the search for life beyond Earth with this Coursera course. Led by experts in chemistry, astronomy, geology, and archaeology, you'll learn about exoplanet detection, the chemistry of life's ingredients, and what makes a planet habitable. Ideal for foundation-level learners, the course spans 1440 minutes and is available through a Starter subscription. Dive into one of science's most exciting domains and stay updated on the latest exoplanet discoveries.

Chris Impey
Instructor

Chris Impey