Bruce Betts • February 5, 2014

Take My Free Online College Introduction to Planetary Science and Astronomy CSUDH Class

Come explore the solar system and the universe with me. I am again teaching my online college level Introduction to Planetary Science and Astronomy class Feb. 5 through May 7, 2014 on Wednesdays at 15:00 Pacific time through California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). You can watch live or watch the archived shows.

Do you like pretty space pictures? Most of my class is spent learning about space by looking at images of planets, moons, galaxies, and so much more. I use the spiffy CSUDH system to allow me to point to things on the images, and occasionally, to draw football plays. The course is light on math, but designed to not only give you a solid introduction to the solar system and beyond, but also to enable you to better enjoy and appreciate future discoveries. I will try to give you a strong basis for future understanding. We will discuss fundamental knowledge as well as recent space discoveries. The focus will be on our solar system, but towards the end of the class, we will also cover exoplanets, stars, galaxies, and the universe. But, wait, don’t order yet. We’ll also go over easy things for you to observe in the sky, and, of course, a smattering of random space facts. And, I will have lots of stellar guests who will join me for discussions of their research, missions, etc.

As a CSUDH Young Scholars program class, only California high school and community college students can take the class for credit, but everyone can participate including asking questions during the live classes through the Internet. Also, for all, we will be providing an opportunity if you watch all the classes, to earn a downloadable certificate, and maybe more.

Learn more about the class including information on how to watch, an archive of past classes, the syllabus, the class schedule and reading assignments, and eventually class assignments and tests (optional if you are not enrolled for college credit) on my class page planetary.org/bettsclass.

Bruce Betts

Chief Scientist / LightSail Program Manager for The Planetary Society
Read more articles by Bruce Betts

Comments & Sharing

Comments

morganism: 2014/02/06 02:45 CST

Cool. Any ideas on where to find some astro geochem ? I even asked at Flagstaff , and they don't know of anything online.

murat sert: 2014/02/09 04:36 CST

It's a very good opportunity to follow the recent developments in the field of Physics and Astronomy.Of course to be updated wat I've learned before.I'm going to try to follow these colleges online.

Brett Simon: 2014/02/10 11:16 CST

Thank you, thank you, thank you Planetary Society and Dr. Betts! I just purchased the book (used) for $26. How can you go wrong? Very excited to participate from wintery vortex, also known as Illinois. Especially with a smattering of random space facts. I'm in!

Bruce Betts: 2014/02/11 06:24 CST

Thank you all for the enthusiasm and interest. As to online astro geochem, no I do not know where to find. As to the wintery vortex of Illinois, stay warm and enjoy.

Dan Thomson: 2014/02/21 12:34 CST

The class is a great offering; I am really enjoying it. I hope you appreciate the query, but why is the guy in the screenshot behind you looking through his Newtonian upside down? I see this in TV ads sometimes... kid and parent, gazing at shoes in the backyard... (did I win anything for noticing?) Seriously. though, thank you, and I am actively telling people to watch.

Bruce Betts: 2014/02/24 02:18 CST

Dan: wow! For years this has been used and no one questioned. CSUDH actually found it so I will see if I can find more info, but off hand, here are my possible options: 1-Their shoes are really cool looking; 2-This is actually an unusual telescope design with something like a coude focus; or, most likely, 3-Because the photographer thought it would look better. You win--- my respect and admiration :) Thanks for taking the class and for noticing what no one else ever has!

Dan Thomson: 2014/02/26 11:45 CST

Thanks for the response! Let's hope it's cool shoes.

James Harris: 2014/04/26 10:10 CDT

This really is Distance Laearning - am in UK. Before I buy the course textbook, can I get it in a way that part of cost goes to the society? Or will I just get it at an online store and donate for using course? ie archive vids.

Remona: 2014/09/20 11:19 CDT

This Introduction was very nice one from him i am not interested but i appreciated that they are doing much better for there students and really recommend you guys to learn from him something you want...

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