An introduction to astronomy: understanding stars and planets

Since antiquity, people have looked to the skies and wondered about the stars and planets. In this course, we explore how stars and planets differ, the current theories on their formation and the exploration of the Sun and planets in our own solar system via satellites and robotic missions. We will learn how astronomers detect and characterise planets around other stars, and how the new science of these exoplanets has evolved in the 20 years since their discovery. Finally, we will discuss how common planets are around other stars, and how astronomers ascertain the likelihood that life might exist on other planets.