Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Open University

Moons

The Open University via FutureLearn

Overview

Prepare for a new career with $100 off Coursera Plus
Gear up for jobs in high-demand fields: data analytics, digital marketing, and more.

Discover the amazing diversity of moons in our Solar System

There are lots of moons in our Solar System. The Earth is the only planet with just a single moon. Some are bigger than ours. Many are much smaller. Some moons have ongoing volcanic eruptions. Others have rivers of liquid methane. A small handful may even be home to primitive life.

This online course will allow you to explore the rich diversity of moons in our Solar System. With experts from The Open University, you’ll explore the fundamental processes that have shaped them, and the relationship between our Moon and the Earth.

The course was produced with the kind support of Dangoor Education.

An interest in learning about the moons of our Solar System and the methods used to understand them. Prior knowledge of astronomy is not expected.

Syllabus

  • What are moons?
    • Getting started
    • Moons and their orbits
    • How moons are formed, and tides
  • Looking at moons
    • Moons and what they’re made of
    • Craters
    • Making craters
  • Looking closer
    • Volcanism on moons
    • Europa
    • Small moons
  • Our Moon
    • Introducing the Moon
    • Going to the Moon
    • Bringing it home
  • What we learned from the Moon
    • Moon rocks
    • Moon rocks under the microscope
    • How old is the Man in the Moon?
  • Water on the Moon
    • Dry Moon
    • Wet Moon
    • More water on the Moon and its significance
  • Exploring moons
    • How have we done so far?
    • Titan – a moon with seas of methane
    • Some other icy moons
  • Moons and the future
    • Moons and the future
    • Life, but as we know it?
    • Wrapping it all up

Taught by

David Rothery

Reviews

4.8 rating, based on 6 Class Central reviews

4.8 rating at FutureLearn based on 222 ratings

Start your review of Moons

  • Eight weeks of fascinating information in this course. Some physics and maths but the concepts are explained clearly. You don't need any prior knowledge of astronomy to enjoy this course.

    There are plenty of beautiful images of many of the more than 180 moons in our solar system, plus other supplementary information and interesting links.
  • Great course on Astronomy ! Did it after Astrobiology and couldn't be happier. Will have to search for similar great courses to continue on my astronomy learning path. Highly recommended
  • Anonymous
    I just finished this course and give it my highest recommendation. The course content was superbly presented and the mentors and lead educator actively involved throughout the experience. It was challenging, thought provoking and filled with knowledge about the moons of our solar system and the quest for exploration of potential life in those moons. A must take experience.
  • Nice course organized by Pr Rothery . All recent robotic missions in the Solar System provide us with more and more datas on the subject . Pr Rothery is highly involved in the course forum and the Facebook Group . His book is a very good complement .
  • Jaimee Van Der Westhuizen
    Very interesting course. There is a good mix of articles, videos, discussions and quizzes - and so the course was quite interactive. There were also very useful additional materials given that expanded on the topics. I strongly recommend this course if you have an interest in astronomy.
  • Erasmia Birmpila

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.