Galaxies and Space: From the Milky Way to the Big Bang

This micro-course provides a beginner-friendly introduction to galaxies and the large-scale structure of the Universe. You will learn how astronomers classify galaxies, how Hubble’s law describes cosmic expansion, and why the cosmic microwave background is key evidence for the Big Bang. The course also explains dark matter in the context of observations and discusses leading ideas about the Universe’s possible futures. After completing the course, you will be able to describe these concepts clearly and interpret basic astronomical evidence.