The Life and Death of Stars
by Sean Ryan and the Open University S381 Course Team · Various
Open University course text tracing stellar evolution from formation through fuel exhaustion. Covers energy generation, aging, element production and stellar remnants, leaving readers able to describe why stars of different masses follow different life cycles.
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More resources on Stellar Astronomy
aavso.org
The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) coordinates and archives variable-star observations from amateur and professional astronomers, inviting contributions of light curves and research. The site offers observing guides, data tools and catalogs (including VSX), educational resources, and opportunities to collaborate on variable star science.
stellarium.org
Stellarium is a free, open-source planetarium software that renders realistic night skies—stars, planets, constellations, and deep-sky objects—for any date, time, and location. The site offers downloads for multiple platforms and extensive documentation, tutorials, and examples to help you explore and learn astronomy.
SIMBAD Astronomical Database
Astronomical object database maintained by the Strasbourg astronomical Data Centre. Searching by name, coordinates, or criteria returns identifiers, measurements, and bibliographic references for millions of stars and galaxies, teaching you how professional astronomers locate published data on a target.
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This course is designed for anyone who is interested in learning more about modern astronomy. We will help you get up to date on the most recent astronomical discoveries while also providing support at an introductory level for those who have no background in science.
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Prialnik's undergraduate textbook derives the equations of stellar structure from thermodynamics, radiative transfer, and nuclear physics, then traces evolution from the main sequence to compact remnants. Expect calculus and physics prerequisites; exercises reinforce each derivation.
Archaeoastronomy
Politecnico di Milano course by Giulio Magli on archaeoastronomy, the study of how ancient builders aligned monuments with celestial events. Covers naked-eye astronomy, measuring and statistically testing alignments, and case studies including Stonehenge, the Egyptian pyramids, Chichen Itza, Machu Picchu and Angkor Wat.