Courses

Introduction to Astronomy (CC BY-NC-SA)

Introduction to Astronomy provides a quantitative introduction to the physics of the solar system, stars, the interstellar medium, the galaxy, and the universe, as determined from a variety of astronomical observations and models.

Introduction to Astronomy (CC BY)

In ASTR101, you will be introduced to our current understanding of the universe and how we have come to this understanding. We will start with the ancient Greeks and their belief that the universe was an orderly place capable of being understood. We will continue through history, as we acquired more information on the nature of the universe and our models of the universe changed to reflect this. This will take us through several different worldviews.

Supplemental Materials

Astronomy of Many Cultures (CC BY-NC-ND)

This resource guide, for instructors and students in introductory astronomy courses, focuses on the contributions to astronomy of African, Asian, Hispanic, South Pacific, Islamic, and Native American cultures. It also contains a section on reports and articles for achieving greater diversity in science.

Black Lives in Astronomy: A Resource Guide (CC BY-NC-ND)

This focused resource guide, “Black Lives in Astronomy,” includes specific written and video resources about and by 25 black astronomers, as well as general materials to examine the history and issues facing black members of the astronomical community. It includes both older, established scientists and people early in their careers. It is aimed at the Astro 101 and amateur astronomer level, and thus does not include any technical materials. I hope this resource will give instructors and students examples of authentic black voices that can be shown in class or used in assignments.

Worksheets and Solutions (CC BY-SA)

A collection of worksheets and solutions that align with the Astronomy (OpenStax) textbook adapted by B.C. faculty.

Textbooks

Douglas College Astronomy 1105 (CC BY)

The first Canadian edition of an introduction to astronomy open textbook. It was adapted from the Astronomy open textbook published by OpenStax by Jennifer Kirkey and colleagues at Douglas College.

BCIT Astronomy 7000: A Survey of Astronomy (CC BY)

An adaptation of the Canadian edition of the Astronomy originally published by OpenStax for courses at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

General Astronomy (CC BY-SA)

This Wikibook introduces the reader to that tapestry and the process that revealed it to humanity. It presents astronomy not only as a field of knowledge, but also as a human endeavor in science.

Tools

Stellarium (Open source)

Stellarium is a free, open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.

Videos

Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life (CC BY-NC)

A collection of videos (33) looking at the possibility of life in space as part of the Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life (ASTROBIO) open online course.

AstroTech: The Science and Technology behind Astronomical Discovery (CC BY-NC)

A collection of 4 videos on astronomy as a discipline.