New at CosmoQuest – Online Classes!

Jun 22, 2012 | Behind the Scenes, Vision

We here at CosmoQuest think that doing science is a worthwhile activity. You’ve helped us begin to map the Moon and understand some key features of lunar craters. You’ve begun identifying potential icy targets for New Horizons, and we have plenty more explorations in store. However, we want this to be a hub for learning science as well, and so we’re happy to introduce the very first in our series of online classes.

Ever want to take an astronomy class but never had the chance? Maybe you want a refresher since so much has been discovered since the last time you studied the subject. You’ll be able to take a four-week class on Solar System Science starting July 24th, taught by our esteemed colleague Ray Sanders, aka Dear Astronomer, right from the comfort of your own home. This course will give you an overview of our Solar System, its origins, and the search for exoplanet systems that was summed up quite nicely in a recent xkcd comic.

What's this? Take the class to find out! Credit: NASA

The class will include interactive sessions through Google Hangouts, a platform that has been so successful in helping us share science news, talks, and the ever popular Virtual Star Parties. That means that space is limited, so you’ll want to register for the course quickly. This is the kind of experience that you won’t get in a big lecture hall. (If the first session fills, we can add a second class.)

The classes will occur at the following dates and times:

  • Tuesdays, 7pm – 8pm Pacific (July 24, July 31, Aug 7, Aug 14)
  • Thursdays, 7pm – 8pm Pacific (July 26, Aug 2,  Aug 9, Aug 16)

We know that this won’t suit everyone’s schedule, and we look forward to having more classes and at different times in the future. The cost of the course is $240 (plus Eventbrite fee) for the entire 8-class session, which is a real bargain when you know that you are paying for the expertise and time going into creating such a course.

This is the place to start your astronomy learning if you have been hesitant to get into it before. You’ll be in capable educational hands, AND you’ll get a more well-rounded basis for the kind of work that we’re all doing here through the Mappers and Investigators projects. We look forward to you coming on this new journey with us!

4 Comments

  1. Madison

    Hello. I’ve recently read about how you are now offering an online course and as thrilled as I was to hear that there was indeed an online class for astronomy, I’ve had some concerns.
    Is there an age limit or current knowledge requirements that need to be taken into account before signing up? Or is this just offered to everyone and anyone who really wants to find a place to start their astronomy learning? Thank you.

  2. Irwin

    Hi

    Is there a more detailed outline or description of the topics that will be covered in the course? I’d like to get a sense of how new information will be covered. Eight hours is not a lot of time to cover an entire solar system!

    Thanks.
    Irwin

  3. cosmoquest

    Hi Madison – We don’t have a stated age limit, but this course is geared at informal adult learners. For this course, we try not to assume more background than a high school graduate would have. Later courses will have more stringent entrance requirements.

    Hi Irwin – We should have a full course syllabus up in the next couple days under the CosmoAcademy menu above.

  4. Manos

    hello and thank you very much for giving us such a great opportunity for more education :).
    I was checking for the class (yes i know i m too much late :),,and i saw its full…

    i was wondering if you are considering of adding a second class as it mentioned?

    and secondly (if another class take place)
    i would like to ask you, if we will receive some kind of certificate for the class.

    Thank you very much…

    Manos

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