Our company and career guides have been featured in
Get an Astronomy Certificate
Does the night sky fascinate you? In this course, you will receive a comprehensive introduction to astronomy through an exploration of the solar system, stars, galaxies, and cosmology.
Whether you are a prospective astronomist, or simply interested in equipping yourself with more knowledge about the universe and how it works, this course will equip you with a strong foundation in astronomy.
What Happens in the Astronomy Certificate Course
The Astronomy Certificate Course is an online learning program with recommended readings from the textbook (Astronomy 2e). This course is self-directed, which means you may study and complete assignments at times that are most convenient for you from the comfort of your own home.
This part-time Astronomy Certificate Course has a recommended completion date of 9 weeks from the start of the program, however, you may choose to complete the course in as little as 4 weeks or as long as 16 weeks, depending on your schedule.
The Astronomy Certificate Course has been created to allow you to complete it without teaching assistance. However, if you have questions or need assistance, you can receive help from a Faculty Member throughout the 9 weeks of the course. Your Faculty Member is a valuable resource person who can provide you with personal teaching assistance to help you succeed in the course.
Course Topics
The Astronomy Certificate Course has been developed to meet high academic standards, ensuring that as a graduate you can display with pride the Astronomy Certificate you will earn from the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College).
Science and the Universe: A Brief Tour
- The Nature of Astronomy
- The Nature of Science
- The Laws of Nature
- Numbers in Astronomy
- Consequences of Light Travel Time
- A Tour of the Universe
- The Universe on the Large Scale
- The Universe of the Very Small
- A Conclusion and a Beginning
Radiation and Spectra
- The Behavior of Light
- The Electromagnetic Spectrum
- Spectroscopy in Astronomy
- The Structure of the Atom
- Formation of Spectral Lines
- The Doppler Effect
Astronomical Instruments
- Telescopes
- Telescopes Today
- Visible-Light Detectors and Instruments
- Radio Telescopes
- Observations Outside Earth’s Atmosphere
- The Future of Large Telescopes
Other Worlds: An Introduction to the Solar System
- Overview of Our Planetary System
- Composition and Structure of Planets
- Dating Planetary Surfaces
- Origin of the Solar System
Cratered Worlds
- General Properties of the Moon
- The Lunar Surface
- Impact Craters
- The Origin of the Moon
- Mercury
Earthlike Planets: Venus and Mars
- The Nearest Planets: An Overview
- The Geology of Venus
- The Massive Atmosphere of Venus
- The Geology of Mars
- Water and Life on Mars
- Divergent Planetary Evolution
The Giant Planets
- Exploring the Outer Planets
- The Giant Planets
- Atmospheres of the Giant Planets
Rings, Moons, and Pluto
- Ring and Moon Systems Introduced
- The Galilean Moons of Jupiter
- Titan and Triton
- Pluto and Charon
- Planetary Rings (and Enceladus)
Cosmic Samples and the Origin of the Solar System
- Meteors
- Meteorites: Stones from Heaven
- Formation of the Solar System
- Comparison with Other Planetary Systems
- Planetary Evolution
The Sun: A Nuclear Powerhouse
- Sources of Sunshine: Thermal and Gravitational Energy
- Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity
- The Solar Interior
- The Solar Interior: Observations
Analyzing Starlight
- The Brightness of Stars
- Colors of Stars
- The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs)
- Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion
The Stars: A Celestial Census
- A Stellar Census
- Measuring Stellar Masses
- Diameters of Stars
- The H-R Diagram
Celestial Distances
- Fundamental Units of Distance
- Surveying the Stars
- Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances
- The H-R Diagram
The Birth of Stars and the Discovery of Planets outside the Solar System
- Star Formation
- The H–R Diagram and the Study of Stellar Evolution
- Evidence That Planets Form around Other Stars
- Planets beyond the Solar System: Search and Discovery
- Exoplanets Everywhere: What We Are Learning
- New Perspectives on Planet Formation
Stars from Adolescence to Old Age
- Evolution from the Main Sequence to Red Giants
- Star Clusters
- Checking Out the Theory
- Further Evolution of Stars
- The Evolution of More Massive Stars
The Death of Stars
- The Death of Low-Mass Stars
- Evolution of Massive Stars: An Explosive Finish
- Supernova Observations
- Pulsars and the Discovery of Neutron Stars
- The Evolution of Binary Star Systems
- The Mystery of Gamma Ray Bursts
Black Holes and Curved Spacetime
- Introducing General Relativity
- Spacetime and Gravity
- Tests of General Relativity
- Time in General Relativity
- Black Holes
- Evidence for Black Holes
The Milky Way Galaxy
- The Architecture of the Galaxy
- Spiral Structure
- The Mass of the Galaxy
- The Center of the Galaxy
- Stellar Populations in the Galaxy
- The Formation of the Galaxy
Galaxies
- The Discovery of Galaxies
- Types of Galaxies
- Properties of Galaxies
- The Extragalactic Distance Scale
- The Expanding Universe
The Evolution and Distribution of Galaxies
- Observations of Distant Galaxies
- Galaxy Mergers and Active Galactic Nuclei
- The Distribution of Galaxies in Space
- The Challenge of Dark Matter
- The Formation and Evolution of Galaxies and Structure in the Universe
The Big Bang
- The Age of the Universe
- A Model of the Universe
- The Beginning of the Universe
- The Cosmic Microwave Background
- What Is the Universe Really Made Of?
Life in the Universe
- The Cosmic Context for Life
- Astrobiology
- Searching for Life beyond Earth
- The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
What Is Included in the Astronomy Certificate Course
This all-inclusive Astronomy Certificate Course Online package includes:
- Registration for the Astronomy Certificate Course Online
- Access to a Faculty Member to provide you with personal teaching assistance
- Textbook: Astronomy 2e (e-book edition)
- Downloadable Astronomy Certificate personalized with your name and the seal of the International Association of Professions Career College which you may print
- (Optional) Opportunity to order official certificates printed on fine linen paper and embossed with the gold seal of the college
- (Optional) 2023-2024 membership in the IAPO International Organization of Business Professionals for only $2.99 per month
Register for the Astronomy Certificate Course
BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL
It’s easy to change or cancel your course registration. See our FAQ page for details.
You can have all this for an incredible price. It can cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to take other programs. (We found courses based on old editions of our guides with registration fees of up to $999 and more.) We are able to offer you online courses at a significantly lower cost to you because of our expertise from over 20 years of producing the leading online guides for non-traditional careers.
Our online certificate courses have previously been offered for a registration fee of $297 U.S. and include a textbook and professional membership – a total value of almost $377.
BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL: This all-inclusive registration package for the Astronomy Certificate Course is priced as only $149.00 for the September 25, 2023 course.
Register today for the Astronomy Certificate Course. Enrollment is limited and registration is on a first come first served basis, so we recommend that you register early for the Astronomy Certificate Course online to avoid disappointment.
If the course is full, please email support@iapcollege.com to be notified when a new course date is scheduled.
Your Privacy Is Protected
-
How Much Money Do Astronomers Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, astronomists observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge and apply such information to practical problems. Astronomers are paid well for this important work, with a median annual salary of $128,330 or over $60 per hour.
-
What Do Astronomers Do?
Have you ever found yourself gazing up at the night sky, utterly captivated by the twinkling stars and distant planets? Are you known as the “space fact” friend, who always seems to have a quirky anecdote to share about space? Have you always wished that you studied astronomy when you were younger, or are you considering studying astronomy in the future? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the questions above, this introductory astronomy course may be a perfect fit for you! This course is designed to provide you with a solid foundation in astronomy, covering topics such as orbits and gravity, the solar system, planets, comets and asteroids, and more. From understanding the motion of celestial objects and spotting constellations to unraveling the mysteries of galaxies and black holes, we have you covered.
-
How Do I Become an Atronomer?
While pursuing a career in astronomy will require further education, this introductory course is a good starting point for aspiring astronomers. If you are simply seeking to expand your knowledge of astronomy out of intellectual curiosity, this course is an excellent starting point. Before investing thousands of dollars and years of your time on advanced degrees, an introductory course such as this can give you insight into core concepts and theories, and ultimately help you decide what is next for you and your career. Join us on the cosmic adventure you’ve been waiting for!
-
What is the Astronomy Certificate Course?
IAP Career College’s part-time online Astronomy Certificate Course, you will receive a comprehensive introduction to the discipline of astronomy. You will gain a deeper understanding of the universe, explore celestial motions and planets, and acquire knowledge that will leave you starstruck. You will receive an Astronomy Certificate when you successfully complete the course. This online course has a recommended completion date of 9 weeks, however it may be completed in as little as 4 weeks or as long as 16 weeks. The course has been created to allow you to complete it without any teaching assistance, however as a student you have access to Faculty Members to provide you with personal teaching assistance and career advice.
-
What is IAP Career College?
The International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College) is a leading online career college offering affordable online certificate courses and professional certifications for non-traditional and "dream" careers. When you take a part-time online certificate course with IAP Career College, you can schedule your learning around your life - you can work at your own pace, at the best times for you and from the comfort of your own home. IAP Career College and affiliated company FabJob Inc (the leading online publisher of guide books on how to get started in a dream career) have served over half a million career changers on six continents since 1999.
