(Recorded Course) Astronomy for High School with MacBeth Derham

We are leaving the solar system– after a brief overview of planetology– to see what else is out there. From elemental gasses to stars to massive galaxies to all-consuming black holes, the universe is homogeneous and isotropic. Find out why!

How to get the most out of Astronomy for High School with MacBeth Derham:

  • First, read the course materials below before the first class recording.

  • Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes each recording.

  • Read assignments before class recordings.

  • Watch the Class’s recording.

  • Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that Class.

  • Once the course is completed to the parent's satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.

Total classes: 13

Duration: 55-60 minutes

Prerequisite: Algebra (optional—math is occasionally demonstrated for its beauty in describing the universe)

Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade

Suggested credit: One full semester Science or Astronomy. For a full year credit, register for Mission: Mars! From Myth to Mariner to (Maybe) Manned or other science course in the fall.

Instructor: MacBeth Derham

Instructor Email: macbethderham@gmail.com

Course description: We are leaving the solar system to see what else is out there! Textbook and lectures will be supplemented by up-to-date information from ongoing research.

Course outline:

Class 1: History of Astronomy
Class 2: Radiation, Spectroscopy, Telescopes
Class 3: Planetology and Geology
Class 4: Mercury, the Moon, and Venus
Class 5: Mars, Jupiter, Saturn
Class 6: Uranus, Neptune and Beyond; Formation of planets
Class 7: The Sun, Stars, and the Main Sequence
Class 8: Interstellar Medium and Star Formation
Class 9: Stellar Evolution and Stellar Explosions
Class 10: Neutron Stars, Black Holes, Weird Stuff
Class 11: Milky Way and other Galaxies
Class 12: Quasars and Cosmology
Class 13: The Early Universe and…Are We Alone?

Course materials: Astronomy Today 4/e Volume 2 Stars and Galaxies, ISBN-13: 978-0130935717 (https://amzn.to/3kTMQnp), or 5/e, 6/e, 7/e, 8/e... The later editions are pricey.
*If you buy used, please check with the seller—the second volume is the text for this course. Also, binoculars or small telescope, and a dark sky are helpful!
An answer key is not provided for this course.

Homework: Class reading and quizzes; occasional outdoor activities. Expect to spend about two to three hours per class outside of the classroom on homework.

Technical Help: If you have any technical trouble or questions about course content, please email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.

©2023 Homeschool Connections and MacBeth Derham. All rights reserved. This course is designed by MacBeth Derham.

  • This material is only to be used for its intended purpose by active subscribers of Homeschool Connections. Any other use without explicit permission is in violation of the seventh commandment (yes, the 7th commandment) and in violation of US and International copyright laws.