Astrophysics & Advanced Astronomy
with Observatory Telescopes
In this 12-session live online course, students explore advanced astrophysics and astronomy topics while using professional-quality observatory telescopes! Students capture stunning images of astronomical phenomena.
About the Instructor
Prof. Mark Baraket (M.S. Astrophysics UC-Berkeley)
is a Certified Science & Space Ambassador with the National Space Society, former NASA researcher and experienced aeronautics educator.
Inspire the next generation of curious minds and future innovators
Does your child have a strong interest in astrophysics?
They can explore advanced astrophysics topics with an actual astrophysicist!
In this course, students explore fascinating topics in astrophysics, while capturing images of astronomical phenomena with professional observatory telescopes! Course content includes origins of our solar system and galaxy, the birth & death of stars, star classification, The Drake Equation, black body radiation and Newton's Law of Gravitation.
During the course, students will work on building their own collection of Messier Catalog images. The Messier Catalogue is a famous catalogue among astronomers - it details many deep-sky objects such as galaxies, globular clusters and nebulae. It encompasses some of the best objects to see in the night sky with a telescope.
Course Includes:
Twelve 50-minute live Zoom classes with Prof. Mark Barakat (Masters of Science, Astrophysics)
Twelve printable Homework Review Handouts and printable Certificate of Completion
Class size capped at 12 students for a small group learning experience
Zoom recordings available for missed sessions
Designed for ages 8-13 (grades 3-7), younger children may participate with parental support.
Recommended Course Materials:
Student Subscription to Slooh observatory telescope service. A link to sign-up at discounted student rate ($30 for a full year of access) will be emailed upon registration.
If a Slooh telescope account was previously purchased for the "Astronomy for Kids with Observatory Telescopes" course, it can continue to be used for this course. Note: If your learner is not interested in capturing their own observatory telescope images, it is also possible to participate in this course to learn about astrophysics without utilizing a Slooh account.
Course Syllabus:
Session 1: Origin of Our Solar System & The Drake Equation
Session 2: Rocky Planets and Their Moons
Session 3: Comets, Meteors, Asteroids, Oh My!
Session 4: The Interstellar Medium
Session 5: Newton's Law of Gravitation
Session 6: How Do We Classify Stars?
Session 7: Escape Velocity
Session 8: Black Body Radiation: Stefan-Boltzmann Law, Wein Law
Session 9: Black Body Radiation: Planck's Law
Session 10: How to Build a Galaxy
Session 11: Origins of the Big Bang
Session 12: The Stuff The Universe Is Made Of
Select Course Start Date & Time
This course is currently full. To be notified when this course opens again, please send an email request to [email protected]. Thank you!
What Parents are saying
★★★★★
"This is the second class my son has taken with Mark. He is a wonderful teacher and always engaging. My son loves the classes and the information and how real and accessible Mark makes it all. Mark also invites the students to share and discuss topics together."
- Alicia M.
★★★★★
"Mark is an excellent teacher, and my son thoroughly enjoyed learning all about Astronomy in his class. I would highly recommend Mark's class for any budding space enthusiast!"
- Robyn F.
★★★★★
"My son has really enjoyed this class. He has learned a lot from it and he's always excited to take the pictures with the telescope. The professor really gives a lot of information but makes it easy for the children to understand. I am very happy we signed him up."
- Karen J.
★★★★★
"This course was great. My child enjoyed it greatly and learned not just space facts but also the joy of sharing what they found."
- Jill M.
★★★★★
"Awesome class. It was invaluable to have someone who actually worked for NASA teaching my daughter about astronomy. It was a great environment to help grow her interest in all things space-related. Also, he was very encouraging and helped build the confidence of each student."
- Julianna N.
★★★★★
"My son has taken a couple classes from this instructor and has learned a lot of new information. The guided notes, online tools, and presentations keep him engaged and learning."
- Lisa
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Quantum Academy offered classes?
Quantum Academy is a U.S. company focused on providing advanced classes in aeronautics, astronomy and physics for kids. Founded in 2020, we previously offered courses via Outschool under the moniker "Quantum Physics for Kids," teaching over 7000 students and receiving over 1500 5-star reviews. Starting in 2025, we began offering our unique courses directly to parents, at a lower cost than on Outschool and without requiring a monthly membership. Our expert teachers are dedicated to sharing the wonders of physics and science with young learners!
Is this course appropriate for my child's age and skill level?
The course is designed for ages 8-13 (approximately grades 3-7). We have a flexible age policy - younger children can participate with parent support, and older children are welcome if interested. No prior knowledge is required.
How do I enroll more than one child?
To enroll more than one child, please complete the registration form and payment for each child separately.
Will my child stay engaged for the full 12 sessions?
Our interactive format creates genuine excitement that passive video learning can't match. Each session builds anticipation for the next discovery. We have a 97% completion rate across all our courses.
What's your refund policy if my child doesn't enjoy the course?
We offer a satisfaction guarantee. If the course isn't a good match for your learner, you can request withdrawal and receive a pro-rated refund. We can also transfer to another section if there's a schedule conflict.
What technology/equipment does my child need to participate?
Just an internet-connected computer or tablet. Class details, Zoom access and materials will be emailed before the first class.
