Back to Astro 101: Black Holes
University of Alberta

Astro 101: Black Holes

What is a black hole? Do they really exist? How do they form? How are they related to stars? What would happen if you fell into one? How do you see a black hole if they emit no light? What’s the difference between a black hole and a really dark star? Could a particle accelerator create a black hole? Can a black hole also be a worm hole or a time machine? In Astro 101: Black Holes, you will explore the concepts behind black holes. Using the theme of black holes, you will learn the basic ideas of astronomy, relativity, and quantum physics. After completing this course, you will be able to: • Describe the essential properties of black holes. • Explain recent black hole research using plain language and appropriate analogies. • Compare black holes in popular culture to modern physics to distinguish science fact from science fiction. • Describe the application of fundamental physical concepts including gravity, special and general relativity, and quantum mechanics to reported scientific observations. • Recognize different types of stars and distinguish which stars can potentially become black holes. • Differentiate types of black holes and classify each type as observed or theoretical. • Characterize formation theories associated with each type of black hole. • Identify different ways of detecting black holes, and appropriate technologies associated with each detection method. • Summarize the puzzles facing black hole researchers in modern science.

Status: Scientific Visualization
Status: Storytelling
BeginnerCourse18 hours

Featured reviews

JB

5.0Reviewed Sep 2, 2025

This was a fascinating course. Lots of material to learn and digest (that's sort of a black hole pun). I learned a lot and hope to do more independent reading to learn yet more about black holes.

AA

5.0Reviewed May 27, 2020

Simply,This course is the best I found in Coursera. It has all Information. I would like that it include some more Mathematics of black Hole. Black hole thermodynamics is great topic.

YD

5.0Reviewed Jan 1, 2021

The course was very interesting . I loved that the expainations used references to known movies and TV shows, it made the more entartaining and made me try to use the formulas I learned in real life.

TM

5.0Reviewed Jun 22, 2020

Astro 101 Black Holes, was the first coursera lesson I took. I loved it.I'm hooked and already signed up for my next course.I purchased my certificate and will display it proudly.

LY

5.0Reviewed Jan 31, 2022

Wow! I take science courses just because I find science fascinating. This course was wonderful! Very clearly explained with great examples. I really learned a lot. Would highly recommend.

M

5.0Reviewed Jan 14, 2021

Its was amazing to explore the univers and materials like stars and galaxies and balck holes... the faculties are very nice and professional at teaching. I am impressed.. THANKS A LOT ....

RJ

5.0Reviewed Jul 5, 2020

Outstanding use of graphics, formulas, exercises, real-word and fictional examples, and humour (especially with foods) to illustrate what could otherwise be overwhelmingly abstract concepts.

KK

4.0Reviewed May 15, 2020

Super course...there are many informations about black holes are presented. and their communication language was easily understand to all..thank you so much for offer the course

MD

5.0Reviewed Jul 6, 2020

Takes time to finish, yet totally interesting, and surely worth it. If you're a space enthusiast, this will surely leave you craving for more knowledge. Not boring at all. Kudos to the instructors.

KP

5.0Reviewed Jul 26, 2020

It is an Excellent course , with no math assignments, if you want to learn Black holes Definitely, this is the course for you , i am looking for another course from same team. Excellent Team Effort.

HV

5.0Reviewed Jun 8, 2025

The course was very informative and delivered in a very interesting way. I learned a lot of new information about black holes and thoroughly enjoyed this learning experience. Thank you!

SK

5.0Reviewed Jul 30, 2020

i love this course, everything from knowledge to the visual and scientific data, this course amazed me. i thanking to all the person in this course to sharing this knowledge in such an amazing way

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