Astrophysics Courses

What Is Astrophysics?

Astrophysics is the study of astronomical objects through the principles of physics. Astrophysicists try to understand the intricacies of our universe by examining things like the sun, solar system, exoplanets, dark matter, black holes, the interstellar medium, and other relevant parts of our cosmology.

Theoretical and observational physics provides a basis for analyzing and understanding bodies that are too far for us to visit physically or even measure directly. But these elements of the universe may lead us to a better understanding of the origins of our universe, refining theories like the big bang or understanding dark energy.

Learn About Astrophysics

If you're curious to know more about the cosmic wave background or how space science has evolved since its early days, edX.org provides a catalog of classes designed by leaders in the field of astrophysics. You'll be able to take courses alongside students from around the world and finish on your own time.

Classes are free for you to satisfy your curiosity, but you can also receive official credit for a fee. Complete the course requirements satisfactorily, and you've got an official certificate to show potential employers or your current option.

Astrophysics Course and Certification

Get an introduction to astrophysics with online courses from major universities and institutions worldwide. Edx offers both individual courses and advanced programs designed to help you learn about astrophysics in an engaging and effective online learning environment complete with video tutorials, quizzes and more.

Additionally, edX offers the option to pursue verified certificates in astrophysics courses. The certificate lists edX and the name of the university or institution offering the course and can be uploaded to your LinkedIn profile. It is proof for employers and others that you have successfully completed the course. Get started in astrophysics with one the following courses or programs.

Introduction to Astrophysics, a self-paced course taught in English from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne covers the fundamentals of astrophysics including the influence of gravity on planets and other celestial bodies, the interaction of matter and radiation, the evolution and formation of stars and more. Gain an understanding of the physical phenomena of the universe in this 7-week starter course.

ANUx offers a four-course X-series program on Astrophysics, providing a foundation of knowledge for exploration and career advancement. Students will study the instrumentation that makes the field possible, as well as how astrophysicists tackle the most significant questions. You'll understand what we know about the beginnings of our universe as well as its proposed fate billions or trillions of years down the road.

You can also study Relativity and Astrophysics with Cornellx. You'll gain a foundation of general relativity as well as astrophysics principles such as different universal bodies like nebulae, neutron stars, or pulsars, among many other things. Through spectroscopy, students will be able to explore even the farthest bodies in the universe.

For an advanced program, consider the 4-course Astrophysics XSeries from Australian National University. Start by exploring exoplanets, planets that exist around stars other than the Sun. Over 1000 planetary systems have been discovered and this course teaches the methods astrophysicists use to find and study them. Additional courses explore the mysteries and theories of the universe including black holes, supernovae, white-dwarf stars, neutron stars and the most violent explosions in the cosmos. Conclude with cosmology, a look at the universe as a whole, the nature of time and space and recent breakthroughs that will help solve some of greatest mysteries of our galaxy and beyond.

Explore these and other free online astrophysics courses. Many courses are self-paced so you can enroll and start learning today.

Ignite Your Curiosity or Career in Astrophysics

Supermassive black holes, quasars, planetary systems to support life -- all the most mysterious and unique components of the universe are in these courses, designed to ignite your interest in theoretical astrophysics. Astronomy and astrophysics provide the building blocks for understanding our place in the universe. 

Whether it's the early universe and its first stars or studies for exoplanets that might someday support human life, astrophysics is a way to find out more about the vast space where we live and understand our closest features in the milky way galaxy. Ignite your career or explore your personal goals with these courses and explore beyond our world.