You can possibly imagine an early universe without planets or stars but what did the universe look like before time existed? This fall, you could find out by joining one of the “Best Free Online Astronomy Courses”. The courses available in this guide cover the entire history of the universe from its first moments to current cosmological time.
Astronomy is like the most compendious history lesson you can take no matter what you do for a living. So, learning about the origins of the universe with these courses can change your perspective on the world as you know it.
Check out these online courses taught by brilliant instructors for a glimpse into our cosmological past. Hurry Up! Don’t miss the chance, enroll as soon as possible all of these courses are suitable for beginners.
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Super-Earths and Life
Grab the opportunity to be a part of Harvard University by enrolling in this free online course entitled as “Super-Earths and Life”. This course is about life on Earth, alien life, how we search for life outside of Earth, and what this teaches us about our place in the universe. To join this course, you must have knowledge of basic algebra.
Provider: Harvard
University
Subject: Physics
Duration: 15 weeks
Start Date: Next dates will be
announced
Apply Now
Greatest Unsolved Mysteries of the Universe
The Australian National University gives you a chance to apply for a free online course termed as “Greatest Unsolved Mysteries of the Universe”. This course will take you through nine of the greatest unsolved problems of modern astrophysics. This course is designed for people who would like to get a deeper understanding of these mysteries than that offered by popular science articles and shows.
Provider: Australian
National University
Subject: Physics
Duration: 9 weeks
Start Date: Open
Apply
Now
Astrophysics: Cosmology
Explore the origin, fate, and nature of our universe by enrolling in this free online course titled as “Astrophysics: Cosmology”. This course covers cosmology – the study of our entire universe. The course explains the recent observations, and with the help of guest speakers Lawrence Krauss and Brian Cox, you will explore the theories behind modern cosmology. You will need reasonable high-school level Math’s and Physics to get the most out of this course.
Provider: Australian
National University
Subject: Physics
Duration: 10 weeks
Start Date: Ongoing
Apply
Now
Astrophysics: The Violent Universe
Applicants are invited to be a part of this “Astrophysics: The Violent Universe” free online course developed by the Australian National University. After learning this course, you will explore the deadliest places in the universe, from black holes to supernovae. This course is designed for people who would like to get a deeper understanding of astronomy. You will need a reasonable high-school level Maths and Physics to get the most out of this course.
Provider: Australian
National University
Subject: Physics
Duration: 9 weeks
Start Date: Available
Apply
Now

Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space
The University of Arizona is inviting interested applicants for enrolling in this free online course “Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space”. This course is designed for anyone who is interested in learning more about modern astronomy. The course will help you get up to date on the most recent astronomical discoveries while also providing support at an introductory level for those who have no background in science.
Provider: University
of Arizona
Subject: Physics and Astronomy
Duration: 11 weeks
Start Date: Open
Apply Now
Confronting The Big Questions: Highlights of Modern Astronomy
The University of Rochester is providing you a free online course entitled as “Confronting The Big Questions: Highlights of Modern Astronomy”. This course gives an introduction to modern astronomy’s most important questions. The four sections of the course are Planets and Life in The Universe; The Life of Stars; Galaxies and Their Environments; The History of The Universe.
Provider: University
of Rochester
Subject: Physics and Astronomy
Duration: 4 weeks
Start Date: Ongoing
Apply Now
Data-driven Astronomy
Whether you’re already a scientist, studying to become one, or just interested in how modern astronomy works ‘under the bonnet’, this course will help you explore astronomy. This course is funded by the University of Sydney. In this course, you will investigate the challenges of working with large datasets: how to implement algorithms that work; how to use databases to manage your data; and how to learn from your data with machine learning tools.
Provider: University
of Sydney
Subject: Physics and Astronomy
Duration: 6 weeks
Start Date: Open
Apply Now
AstroTech: The Science and Technology behind Astronomical Discovery
The University of Edinburgh is declaring this free online course entitled as “AstroTech: The Science and Technology behind Astronomical Discovery”. Each week we will cover a different aspect of Astronomical technology, matching each piece of technology to a highlight science result. This course 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.
Provider: University
of Edinburgh
Subject: Physics and Astronomy
Duration: 6 weeks
Start Date: Open
Apply Now

Astrophysics: From Stars to the Universe
Start your online learning journey with this free online course “Astrophysics: From Stars to the Universe” provided by the Saint Petersburg State Technical University. This course focuses on the key issues of modern astrophysics: the birth, evolution, and final stages of star life. In the course, you will get acquainted with the work of specialists in high-energy astrophysics and neutrino astronomy and understand why people study supernova explosions and high-energy neutrinos.
Provider: Saint
Petersburg State Technical University
Subject: Physics and Astronomy
Duration: 7 weeks
Start Date: Available
Apply Now
Archaeoastronomy
The Polytechnic University of Milan is presenting this free online course termed as “Archaeoastronomy”. This course provides the first complete, easy introduction to this fascinating discipline. The course also provides the necessary background on Astronomy with the naked eye and a general introduction to the role of Astronomy in religion and in the management of power among ancient cultures.
Provider: Polytechnic
University of Milan
Subject: Physics and Astronomy
Duration: 6 weeks
Start Date: Open
Apply Now
Course Name | University | Cost | Duration | Deadline |
1. Super-Earths and Life | Harvard University | Free | 15 weeks | Next dates will be announced |
2. Greatest Unsolved Mysteries of the Universe | Australian National University | Free | 9 weeks | Open |
3. Astrophysics: Cosmology | Australian National University | Free | 10 weeks | Ongoing |
4. Astrophysics: The Violent Universe | Australian National University | Free | 9 weeks | Available |
5. Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space | University of Arizona | Free | 11 weeks | Open |
6. Confronting The Big Questions: Highlights of Modern Astronomy | University of Rochester | Free | 4 weeks | Ongoing |
7. Data-driven Astronomy | University of Sydney | Free | 6 weeks | Open |
8. AstroTech: The Science and Technology behind Astronomical Discovery | University of Edinburgh | Free | 6 weeks | Open |
9. Astrophysics: From Stars to the Universe | Saint Petersburg State Technical University | Free | 7 weeks | Available |
10. Archaeoastronomy | Polytechnic University of Milan | Free | 6 weeks | Open |