ASRAS

Objectives

The workshops will have three major objectives. After participating in these workshops, you will:

1. Be familiar with the night sky;
2. Be able to use a telescope or other optical aids;
3. Have a list of projects to do with your students

Objective 1.

To become familiar with the night sky, you will first be trained in the use of star charts. After an initial indoor session, you will go outside at night and use your star chart to identify the constellations currently in the sky. Next, you will learn about the various kinds of objects there are to look at and to study within the constellations, such as stars with noteworthy color, double stars, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. You will learn where in the sky to find examples of these objects, and where to find additional information and examples, such as books, computer programs, and the internet. In addition, you will learn what kinds of optical aid, if any, are needed for each kind of object. You will also learn about objects that move through the constellations, such as the moon, planets, comets and meteors, and will be taught methods of study for each of these kinds of objects.

Objective 2.

You will learn about the various kinds of telescopes, eyepieces and binoculars, and the pros and cons of each. You will use examples of refractors, Newtonian reflectors, and Schmidt Cassegrain reflectors, as well as binoculars of various sizes. If you have a telescope of your own, you may bring it to the workshop to have it fine-tuned, and receive training in its use..

Objective 3.

You will learn about astronomy projects that can be performed outside with the naked eye, with simple cameras, and with various kinds of optical aid, and in the classroom, including the use of computers.