In this module, you’ll learn to quantitatively describe the physics of stars and exoplanets. It introduces the physical concepts underpinning our understanding of these objects and the astronomical techniques used to explore them. Building on these foundations, you’ll get a flavour of cutting-edge findings in selected areas and the opportunity to experience authentic research with your own observational data.
What you will study
The module comprises four elements which interlink to provide the astrophysical foundations of the discipline and examples of how astrophysical research advances.
Two self-contained texts provide a quantitative account of the physics of stars and exoplanets and the astronomical techniques used to study them.
The text Stars investigates the properties of stars at different stages of evolution – how they form, what happens to them as they age, and what becomes of them when they die. You’ll explore physical processes that sustain stars’ energy output during each stage of evolution and drive the progression from one stage to the next, as well as the relationship between stages of stellar evolution and the production of chemical elements. In addition, you’ll develop your understanding of the basic concepts of hydrodynamics, thermodynamics, plasma physics, quantum physics and nuclear physics.
Exoplanet research saw rapid advances over the last decade, demonstrating that planets around stars other than the Sun are ubiquitous and diverse. Exoplanets explores the photometric and spectroscopic methods used in exoplanet detection and how the physical properties of star/planet systems are derived. The text concludes with an account of how the growing population of planets with known parameters informs our understanding of planet formation.
Alongside studying the two texts, you’ll engage with an observational astronomy project on transiting exoplanets. You’ll have observing time on the OpenScience Observatories’ Tenerife facilities and schedule observations of an exoplanet transit. You’ll obtain transit light curves and analyse the exoplanet’s characteristics.
The module concludes with three case studies relating to more recent research findings in stellar and exoplanetary astrophysics. These findings are conveyed through a series of activities using standard professional astronomy tools.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this module.
At The Open University, we believe education should be open to all, so we provide high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
Even though there are no entry requirements, you’ll need an appropriate knowledge of mathematics and physics obtained through:
OU level 1 and 2 study
equivalent work at another higher education institution.
Are you ready for S384?
Preparatory work
We recommend that you’ve completed:
Remote experiments in physics and space (SXPS288) and
Mathematical methods (MST224).
Plus:
Core physics (S227) or
Planetary science and the search for life (S283) and Astronomy (S284).
The S384 textbooks summarise assumed prior knowledge of astrophysical concepts and facts from OU level 2 modules. You should engage with this material before the module starts.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Assessment
Course work includes:
4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
Examination
For this module, we may use an assessment verification process to meet the requirements of relevant accrediting, professional, statutory or regulatory bodies. As part of this process, you may be asked to attend a short post-assessment video discussion, lasting around 15 minutes. During the discussion, you’ll need to show a photo ID and talk through your answers to a small number of questions with a tutor or a member of the module team. The discussion is not graded and is only used to confirm that you completed the assessment yourself.
We regularly review the assessments in our modules, so we may update the examination method used for this module to an in-person exam or an online invigilated exam. When we are making such a change, we will make it clear on this page. If we need to make a change after you have registered, we will notify you as soon as possible. If you have additional requirements, we will support you to complete your assessments.
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
a week-by-week study planner
course-specific module materials
audio and video content
assessment details and submission section
online tutorial access
access to student forums.
Additionally, the website includes:
access to our online telescopes
links and instructions to download and install astrophysical software.
We also provide physical:
module books.
You will need
a scientific calculator.
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying S384 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Future availability
Astrophysics of stars and exoplanets (S384) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2030.