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Learner Reviews & Feedback for AstroTech: The Science and Technology behind Astronomical Discovery by The University of Edinburgh

4.7
stars
1,102 ratings

About the Course

"How do they know that?" Modern astronomy has made some astonishing discoveries - how stars burn and how black holes form; galaxies from the edge of the universe and killer rocks right next door; where the elements come from and how the expanding universe is accelerating. But how do we know all that? The truth is that astronomy would be impossible without technology, and every advance in astronomy is really an advance in technology. But the technology by itself is not enough. We have to apply it critically with a knowledge of physics to unlock the secrets of the Universe. Each week we will cover a different aspect of Astronomical technology, matching each piece of technology to a highlight science result. We will explain how the technology works, how it has allowed us to collect astronomical data, and, with some basic physics, how we interpret the data to make scientific discoveries. The class will consist of video lectures, weekly quizzes, and discussion forums. Each week there will be five videos, totalling approximately 40 minutes. They will be in a regular pattern - a short introduction, an example science story, an explanation of the key technology area, a look at how the technology is used in practice, and finally a look at what the future may hold....

Top reviews

EM

Jun 7, 2020

After completing the course, I was able to understand better some concepts in astronomy such as dark matter and dark energy as well as the technologies that helped uncover more truths in our universe.

BJ

Sep 22, 2020

The course was amazing especially when the instructor was explaining by using experiment instruments above all the way the instructors has taught me has completely made me understand the concepts.

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76 - 100 of 308 Reviews for AstroTech: The Science and Technology behind Astronomical Discovery

By Anagha M

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Aug 6, 2020

A great experience. Very well explained. Practical things experimental set up of spectroscopy and telescope were explained very well. Both instructors are taught sincerely.

By Talha S

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Jul 7, 2020

The whole course was explained in a convenient and outstanding way especially in the last week , the spectroscopy instruments , that helps a lot for a better understanding.

By Claudia T

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Apr 4, 2022

I loved this course. I would like an update especially when the James Webb Telescope starts to gather more data, but it was a wonderful course and I loved the professors.

By Mrunmayee N P

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Aug 12, 2020

Great course . A must taking course for anyone who is interested in Astro topics . This course gave a lot of information about the modern Astro tech , telescopes , etc .

By Kasuntha M

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Feb 1, 2021

Great course to learn about The Science and Technology behind Astronomical Discovery. I highly recommend this course. Thank you for offering this valuable course to me.

By Christian A

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Jun 6, 2020

Is interesting and a complete course to objectives that are proposed. The topics are basics, making it more advantageous to introduce a person to the world of astronomy

By Khalid Q

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Dec 27, 2020

Thank you for a very wonderful course. Instructors were excellent. However, it is a very basic course. Would like to see intermediate and advance courses. Thanks

By Alikhan B

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Feb 11, 2020

The entire six week was really wonderful and informative. Andy and Catherine have that special talent to keep the students focused and excited at the same time.

By G

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Aug 14, 2020

Thank you for efforts that introduce in the course, although It has for beginners, it has substantial information and I hope another course in the near future

By vanessa k

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Jan 28, 2021

Really enjoyed this course. Great engaging talks, provided at a good level. The assessments matched the teaching well. I hope this can be updated and re-run.

By Yo S

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Feb 17, 2021

This was a very condensed, but informative course on the different methods used in astronomy! I like the simple 5 question quizzes at the end of each week.

By Nigel R

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Nov 1, 2020

Great course. I didn't expect to actually do Physics to pass this course but luckily I knew a decent amount of Physics and Astronomy to get through easily.

By Pushkar P G

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Feb 10, 2021

Best ever course about astronomy ever done.

Very skilled lectures. Nice explanation of the topics , well presented great knowledgeable

Given...

By Marta C

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Mar 26, 2020

I enjoyed the course very much, professors gave an overview of a complicated matter in a clear and simple way without being trivial, thank you!

By sebastian q

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Jan 15, 2020

a great introductory course to understand the technology behind modern astronomy, its recommended if you are a complete beginner to astronomy.

By Yulia B

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Oct 27, 2019

Very accessible and at the same time informative. Introduction and use of formulas are great for keeping it serious even at the intro level.

By George V P

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Mar 3, 2017

A very interesting course for beginners and a very good first step in pursuing deeper knowledge. Thank you Edinburgh University and Coursera

By Leyla M

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Feb 2, 2021

Thank you. It was a very nice, interesting, informative course. It was the first time I saw the devices used in the spectrum. Thanks again!

By Aarón G H

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May 1, 2020

A great option to understand how different astronomical achievements have been possible with the indispensable co-work with technology.

By Pramodini P

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Aug 5, 2020

This course was very informative and useful. Both the professors were very good at their teaching. A wonderful course not to be missed

By Nilesh A

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May 16, 2020

It's a pretty basic course if you want to know astronomically how things are done and to explain it to your kid or students in class.

By Ajith N

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Apr 6, 2020

It was really Interesting and informative .. I hope I get chance to do and know more about Astrophysics. Thank you for this course.

By Greg n

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Feb 19, 2020

Andy and Catherine do a wonderful job of explaining the cosmos questions and how technology is answering those questions.

Thank you!

By Leonard S

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Jan 21, 2020

Very interesting entertaining introduction to this topic. I would look forward to other courses on this topic by these presenters.

By Fabiha N

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Jul 6, 2019

Very good course. It gives a very clear explanation regarding the ways adopted by the scientists to discover the amazing universe.