Astro 101: Black Holes from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Black Holes

Hello and welcome to the first module of Astro 101! In this module, you will become familiar with the basic structure of a black hole, learn the terminology used to describe them, and explore the history of black hole physics.

Life and Death of a Star

Stars are the progenitors of black holes. In this module the student will learn about the lifecycle of stars, how stars produce energy, and how they radiate away energy. We will explore the death of stars, and what is produced by the death of stars, on all scales ; from the building blocks of life (carbon) to black holes.

The Structure of Spacetime

What happens if you travel close to the speed of light? What happens to the passage of time as you fall towards a black hole? This module will explore relativity. We look at the many ways black holes affect the universe around them from discussions of reference frames through to the change in the passage of time as you approach a black hole.

Sizing Up Black Holes

So far discussion has focussed on either the general case for black holes, of the stellar mass variety (endpoint of a star's life). In this module students will explore the various sizes of black holes and their measurable properties. Students will learn that there are four major types of astrophysical black holes (primordial/mini black hole’s, stellar mass, intermediate mass and supermassive black holes), and discover current theories on their formation, and what might feed them. Students will also gain an knowledge of ‘no-hair’ theorem and gravitational lensing. We will also explore the formation of supermassive black holes, intermediate mass black holes, and mini black holes in particle accelerators.

Approaching a Black Hole

What would you see as you approached a black hole, using a black hole binary as a vehicle to explore black holes? In this module students will follow material as it is transferred from a companion star to a black hole via Roche lobe overflow or wind fed accretion. They will then follow that material down through the accretion disc to explore tidal forces to learn about the ways in which black holes can rip apart surrounding material. This material will then pass through the innermost stable orbit of the disc, before falling in. Students will also get the opportunity to look at jets - the outflow of material from the innermost regions of this structure. Module Objective: Introduce properties of black holes from the outside in, through the context of a journey into the event horizon of a black hole. What would we see as we are far away? What will we see and experience as we get closer? What is a disc? What is a jet?

Crossing the Event Horizon

Module Description: What would happen if you fell into a black hole? In this module students continue on their journey through a black hole binary system, from the innermost stable orbit of the accretion disc to the singularity itself. Students will learn about the structure of a basic black hole, as well as rotating black holes. Students will explore the concept of wormholes and singularities. Module Objectives: Students will learn about the innermost region around a black hole, about its lack of surface and about the presence and definition of an event horizon. Students will also explore the impact that spin can have on this region, and how it is measured. Finally they will look inside the event horizon to discover the basic concepts of singularities and wormholes.

Inside a Black Hole

What is in a black hole? This module will start to explore the theoretical side of black hole physics. You will receive a basic introduction to relevant topics of Quantum Mechanics and thermodynamics with the aim of understanding current black hole debates among the giants of the field.

Hunting for Black Holes

If black holes absorb all light, how do we see them? In this module, you will explore how astronomers observe real black holes, from studies of accretion discs and jets to the study of material orbiting a black hole.

Our Eyes in the Skies

Black holes change over time. This module will focus on how and why black holes change as well as how we look for these changes.

Riding the Gravity Wave

How do you study a black hole that has no visible companion? In this module the student will be introduced to gravitational radiation. With the 2016 LIGO discovery of gravitational waves, a whole new branch of astronomy has been opened.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces essential concepts in astronomy, relativity, and quantum physics through the lens of black holes

Suitable for beginners with no prior knowledge in astronomy or physics

Instructors are recognized experts in astrophysics and black hole research

Covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of black holes to advanced concepts like wormholes and gravitational waves

Emphasizes the application of fundamental physical concepts to real-world observations of black holes

Includes hands-on activities and interactive materials to enhance learning

Reviews summary

Black holes 101

Learners say this course is largely positive and is a good introduction for beginners with no astrophysics background. The course is well received for its use of clear explanations and engaging assignments that make the complex concepts of black holes easier to understand. Students enjoy the detailed explanations and real-life examples, as well as the course's up-to-date content and inclusion of recent discoveries. The course is praised for its use of engaging animations, graphics, humor, and storytelling that make the material more accessible and fun to learn. Students also appreciate the enthusiasm and expertise of the instructors, who are described as passionate and knowledgeable. Key features of the course include lectures, readings, quizzes, and homework assignments that cover topics such as the physics of black holes, black hole formation and evolution, observational techniques, and the latest research in the field.

The course is praised for its limited use of mathematics, making it accessible to students with no astrophysics background. However, some students suggest including more math for those who want to dig deeper into the material.

"Loved it. Great material, well explained difficult concepts, learned so much about astronomical concepts and acquired new insights about our place in the universe. "

"although this course is about much more theoretical stuff and could be an introductory portion to black holes. Educators have tried their best to explain everything avoiding complex mathematical stuff."

"I was always fascinated by the actions happening in Space and after doinga a rigorous go through in the course I've completed it. Teaching and conveying was too good also cartoon animation helped me a lot"

Students appreciate the course's inclusion of recent discoveries and up-to-date content.

"Great course and highly recommended for physics students and all those who are fascinated by the principles of nature, the cosmos, and especially the mysterious black holes. "

"This course gives a thorough analysis of Black holes which includes examining other phenomena such as the Big Bang, neutron stars, pulsars, space time and the effect of gravitation on light."

"This course does a fine job of explaining what was known of black hole physics thru 2017. Ligo information was not complete, with 4 years of observation missing."

Learners appreciate the enthusiasm and expertise of the instructors, who are described as knowledgeable and passionate.

"The instructors were exceptional. The course material was presented in a way that kept the course interesting and understable. "

"The best source of information about black holes I've ever known. I've learned a lot, and I've dreamt with black holes."

"This course had a plethora of information, condensed and explained thoroughly (and clearly) enough for someone with limited scientific background to understand."

The course is well received for its clear explanations and engaging assignments. Students say the course is a good introduction for beginners and provides a great foundation for further study.

"Very interesting and well designed. The videos are high quality, and if you watch all of them and pay attention, the questions are very achievable."

"I really enjoyed this course. It was very well organized and put together. All of the lecturers did an outstanding job of explaining difficult concepts. "

"Really enjoyed and learned a lot. Congratulations to the Astro 101 Black Holes and I am looking forward for other courses like this from the U of Alberta. Thank you."

Students praise the course for its engaging presentation, which includes animations, graphics, humor, and storytelling to make the complex concepts of black holes easier to understand.

"Super fun course with amazing animations, pop-culture references and explanations!"

"It was a great experience and wonderful learning experience. The quiz was also well designed."

"Brilliantly organized and presented. The course stretched my imagination to almost bursting. I loved it."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Astro 101: Black Holes with these activities:

Organize Course Materials

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A well-organized collection of course materials will serve as a valuable reference throughout your learning journey.

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Create a folder or binder for the course.
File lecture notes, readings, assignments, and any other relevant materials in an organized manner.
Consider using a note-taking app to consolidate your notes and make them easily searchable.

Explore Black Hole Resources

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Familiarizing yourself with these resources will provide additional perspectives and insights on black holes.

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Visit websites and online platforms such as NASA's Black Hole website, the Event Horizon Telescope website, and the Black Hole Initiative at Harvard University.
Watch documentaries and videos on black holes, such as 'Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity' or 'Into the Black Hole.'
Read popular science books on black holes, such as 'Black Holes and Time Warps' by Kip Thorne or 'The Black Hole War' by Leonard Susskind.

Review Relativity Basics

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Reviewing relativity fundamentals will lay the groundwork for understanding black holes and their properties.

Browse courses on Relativity

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Go over your notes or textbooks on the basics of relativity, such as time dilation, length contraction, and the postulates of special relativity.
Solve practice problems involving time dilation and length contraction. You can find these in your textbook, online, or in problem sets.
Watch videos or documentaries about relativity to reinforce your understanding.

Five other activities

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Attend a Black Hole Seminar

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Attending a seminar can expose you to cutting-edge research and connect you with experts in the field.

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Check university websites or astronomy organizations for upcoming black hole seminars or lectures.
Attend the seminar and take notes on the speaker's presentation.
If possible, engage with the speaker during the Q&A session or after the seminar to ask questions and learn more.

Build a Black Hole Model

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Creating a physical model of a black hole will help you visualize its structure and properties, making it easier to understand.

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Gather materials such as a ball, a dark marker, and a piece of string or yarn.
Draw a circle on the ball to represent the event horizon of the black hole.
Attach the string or yarn to the ball and tie it to a fixed point to represent the singularity.
Use the model to demonstrate concepts such as the gravitational pull of a black hole and the distortion of spacetime.

Analyze Black Hole Data

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Working through real-world data related to black holes will enhance your understanding of how astronomers study them.

Browse courses on Observational Astronomy

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Access datasets from telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope or the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
Use data analysis tools to plot and visualize the data, such as light curves, spectra, or gravitational wave signals.
Identify patterns and trends in the data to infer properties of black holes, such as mass, size, or accretion rates.

Participate in a Black Hole Data Analysis Workshop

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Practical experience in analyzing black hole data can significantly enhance your understanding and skills.

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Identify and register for a black hole data analysis workshop offered by research institutions or astronomy organizations.
Attend the workshop and follow the instructions of the instructors.
Apply the techniques learned in the workshop to analyze real black hole data.

Design a Black Hole Simulation

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Developing a simulation can deepen your understanding of the complex physics involved in black hole behavior.

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Learn about numerical relativity and gravitational equations.
Choose a programming language and development environment.
Implement algorithms for simulating the motion of particles and the evolution of spacetime around a black hole.
Test and refine your simulation by comparing it to known black hole solutions or experimental data.

Career center

Learners who complete Astro 101: Black Holes will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Astrophysicist

The course provides an excellent overview of black holes. This can be useful for an astrophysicist as the course touches on the history of black holes, their properties, and their impact on the universe around them. The course also explores the latest research in black hole physics, which can be helpful for astrophysicists who want to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Astrophysicist

Astronomer

The course gives a good overview of black holes, including their history, properties, and impact on the universe around them. This can be useful for astronomers who want to learn more about black holes or who want to stay up-to-date on the latest research in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Astronomer

Theoretical Physicist

The course provides a good overview of black holes, including their history, properties, and impact on the universe around them. This can be useful for theoretical physicists who want to learn more about black holes or who want to stay up-to-date on the latest research in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Theoretical Physicist

Science Writer

The course provides a good overview of black holes, including their history, properties, and impact on the universe around them. This can be useful for science writers who want to learn more about black holes or who want to stay up-to-date on the latest research in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Science Teacher

The course provides a good overview of black holes, including their history, properties, and impact on the universe around them. This can be useful for science teachers who want to learn more about black holes or who want to stay up-to-date on the latest research in the field.

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Educator

The course provides a good overview of black holes, including their history, properties, and impact on the universe around them. This can be useful for educators who want to learn more about black holes or who want to stay up-to-date on the latest research in the field.

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Science Communicator

The course provides a good overview of black holes, including their history, properties, and impact on the universe around them. This can be useful for science communicators who want to learn more about black holes or who want to stay up-to-date on the latest research in the field.

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Museum Educator

The course provides a good overview of black holes, including their history, properties, and impact on the universe around them. This can be useful for museum educators who want to learn more about black holes or who want to stay up-to-date on the latest research in the field.

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Planetarium Director

The course provides a good overview of black holes, including their history, properties, and impact on the universe around them. This can be useful for planetarium directors who want to learn more about black holes or who want to stay up-to-date on the latest research in the field.

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Space Policy Analyst

The course provides a good overview of black holes, including their history, properties, and impact on the universe around them. This can be useful for space policy analysts who want to learn more about black holes or who want to stay up-to-date on the latest research in the field.

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Spacecraft Engineer

The course provides a good overview of black holes, including their history, properties, and impact on the universe around them. This can be useful for spacecraft engineers who want to learn more about black holes or who want to stay up-to-date on the latest research in the field.

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Robotics Engineer

The course provides a good overview of black holes, including their history, properties, and impact on the universe around them. This can be useful for robotics engineers who want to learn more about black holes or who want to stay up-to-date on the latest research in the field.

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Computer Scientist

The course provides a good overview of black holes, including their history, properties, and impact on the universe around them. This can be useful for computer scientists who want to learn more about black holes or who want to stay up-to-date on the latest research in the field.

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Science Policy Analyst

The course provides a good overview of black holes, including their history, properties, and impact on the universe around them. This can be useful for science policy analysts who want to learn more about black holes or who want to stay up-to-date on the latest research in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Policy Analyst

Software Engineer

The course provides a good overview of black holes, including their history, properties, and impact on the universe around them. This can be useful for software engineers who want to learn more about black holes or who want to stay up-to-date on the latest research in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer