Free online astronomy course - Page 2

malclocke (Malc) · #21 30-08-2012, 05:42 PM

I've signed up too for better or worse.

+1 to keeping a 'study group' going on here.

I'm going to need to brush up on algebra and basic maths, and was recommended this by a mathematician friend:

http://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra

and if, like me, you want to get the basics covered:

http://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic

Malc

DarthWombat (Alex) · #22 31-08-2012, 12:00 PM

I've signed up.

It looks like we might have the makings of a virtual study group here...

skytry (Peter) · #23 31-08-2012, 12:09 PM

hi Malc,
the links you have supplied I am in the process
of downloading both,
looking, maybe learning for the course to follow, and,
basic is the word,
thank you,
regards,
Peter.

orestis · #24 31-08-2012, 05:24 PM

Hey guys,

I am very interested in doing this course as I am about to enter my second year of doing physics at high school but reading through the terms and conditions I have to be over 18, I am 16.

Is there any way I can get around this.

thanks for advertising this here
cheers Orestis

mprenzler (Michael) · #25 31-08-2012, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orestis

Hey guys,

I am very interested in doing this course as I am about to enter my second year of doing physics at high school but reading through the terms and conditions I have to be over 18, I am 16.

Is there any way I can get around this.

thanks for advertising this here
cheers Orestis

Maybe get Mum or Dad to register and use their login? As far as I can tell the teaching materials are prerecorded so anyone can really do the course. Good luck, Michael

Zhou (Mick) · #26 31-08-2012, 08:44 PM

unfortunately I don't have time to do the course, my current study and work load make that impractical. However, if anyone needs a hand with the maths or physics I will be only to happy to help where I can.

skytry (Peter) · #27 01-09-2012, 09:35 AM

hi Mick,
I am currently studying for the course,
with information gathered from Malc, of which shall be of
benefit for doing the hard stuff,
I'm sure during the course I shall be in contact for help,
and thank you for your kind offer too give assistance,
I for one may require it,
regards,
Peter

bazaud (Barry) · #28 01-09-2012, 06:04 PM

Great to see so many people interested. BrIng it on.

Barry

madbadgalaxyman (Robert) · #29 01-09-2012, 09:59 PM

It looks like there are a lot of you out there in cyberspace who seriously want to come to grips with the details of astronomical science.

I can certainly help with the astronomical side, as I am familiar with the concepts and conventions (and also the highly specialized jargon and acronyms) of astronomy; especially in areas like the Interstellar Medium, extinction calculations, Star Formation, Stellar Evolution, magnitude systems and equations, distance measurement, the structure and properties of galaxies, etc.
I also tend to be good at finding and interpreting data in astronomical catalogs.

I tend to be "quite well connected" and know where to find information. Also, I have a large personal library of astronomy books that range from lower-undergraduate through to graduate level.

cheers, madbadgalaxyman

It is remarkable how many people missed out on doing maths properly at school. This problem is only going to get much much worse, as there are now "idiot" maths options in the education system that allow smart people to do low level maths.
However, knowledge of algebraic manipulation, cartesian geometry, trig , logarithmic and exponential functions, and other functions......can get you a long way in astronomy, even if you have only modest (or even no) calculus.
A lot of the simpler books use a "graphical display of numerical relations approach", which is more accessible than pages full of complex equations.

GPC (Glenn) · #30 02-09-2012, 09:45 PM

I'm in as well, looks like it's going to be a great course! and the workload seems to be very managable. I'm really looking forward to it!
Did anyone make a Facebook page for all of us doing the course? If not i think that would be a great way for us all to chat and compare notes etc. where we can

GPC (Glenn) · #31 02-09-2012, 10:00 PM

Ok, So i just went and set one up - if you search on facebook for a page - Students of Free Online Astronomy Course November 2012 - all welcome to like and see where we go from there.

Hope to see you all on there!!!

ZeroID (Brent) · #32 03-09-2012, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orestis

Hey guys,

I am very interested in doing this course as I am about to enter my second year of doing physics at high school but reading through the terms and conditions I have to be over 18, I am 16.

Is there any way I can get around this.

thanks for advertising this here
cheers Orestis

Must be 'Legal Age of Consent' thing I guess. It actually doesn't ask for your age anywhere that I noticed and there is no cost so I don't see what the hangup is. You probably are more up to date with maths than the rest of us combined

.
I'd sign up and if it asks age anywhere just add a couple on. I don't think that will bring the FBI down on you big time ...

ZeroID (Brent) · #33 03-09-2012, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPC

Ok, So i just went and set one up - if you search on facebook for a page - Students of Free Online Astronomy Course November 2012 - all welcome to like and see where we go from there.

Hope to see you all on there!!!

Cheers Glen, I'll check it out when I get home. Wouldn't be a bad idea to do a head count and see how many of us are having a go.

Wont be long before we'll be setting up the 'Australasia Aeronautics and Sapce Administration' the southern hemisphere branch of NASA.

Also known as ASS eh ?

Suzy · #34 03-09-2012, 10:20 AM

Good luck guys- I'm excited for all of you.

I would love to join in this course, however I struggle with Math (I can't even do algebra!)
I thinks it's a fantastic idea to have a study/support group going here and some of us that aren't doing the course might actually learn something from your discussions.

All the best everyone!

skytry (Peter) · #35 03-09-2012, 01:24 PM

hi All,
ok, not having a facebook site,
and not being registered with facebook,
too eliminate the posibilities of being in the wrong
area,
could I please have a link too where too register on facebook,
and the area of facebook we intend to occupy is, free online astronomy is good,
will be done as soon as and early,
regards,
Peter.

mprenzler (Michael) · #36 03-09-2012, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPC

Ok, So i just went and set one up - if you search on facebook for a page - Students of Free Online Astronomy Course November 2012 - all welcome to like and see where we go from there.

Hope to see you all on there!!!

Thanks. Have "liked".

Michael

GPC (Glenn) · #37 03-09-2012, 09:18 PM

If i have done it right here is the link - http://www.facebook.com/StudentsOfFr...ber2012?ref=hl

Suzy · #38 03-09-2012, 10:57 PM

Carl (re-normalised) told me that if anyone needs any help (on fb) doing this course to let him know. He's been a great teacher to me and has taught me lots.

What a great guy! Carl, btw is a professional astronomer.

The fb page looks great- good job!
I've "liked" it.

ZeroID (Brent) · #39 04-09-2012, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skytry

hi All,
ok, not having a facebook site,
and not being registered with facebook,
too eliminate the posibilities of being in the wrong
area,
could I please have a link too where too register on facebook,
and the area of facebook we intend to occupy is, free online astronomy is good,
will be done as soon as and early,
regards,
Peter.

Hi Peter, FB is pretty easy. Just goto www.facebook.com and register yourself. The rest just happens. I'm still figuring out how it works as well, it's a messy place because the more friends you get the messier it gets

ZeroID (Brent) · #40 04-09-2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPC

If i have done it right here is the link - http://www.facebook.com/StudentsOfFr...ber2012?ref=hl

Liked ...