An Introduction to Observational Astronomy for the Complete Beginner.

Course Aims - This ten week Level 1 introductory course is intended for the complete beginner or novice sky gazer who wishes to improve his or her understanding of the night sky - no prior knowledge is necessary. It aims to assist those new to the night sky to appreciate how the sky works, to locate and observe objects and understand their origin and nature. The knowledge gained from this course will enable and hopefully encourage those attending to further their interest in observational astronomy. Ways and methods to achieve this will be discussed during the course.

The course will explore our immediate neighbourhood in space - the Solar System with it's family of rocky and gaseous planets, dwarf planets, asteroids, comets and meteors all orbiting their middle aged, average host star, our own Sun.

We will look beyond the Solar System into our galactic home, the Milky Way Galaxy, and discover star clouds, vast gas clouds, star clusters, stellar nurseries, exploding stars and the recently discovered so called 'exo' planets, now numbering some 349 [June 2009]. Beyond the Milky Way is the vast emptiness of space that lies between the many billions of other galaxies, once described as 'Island Universes', that occupy this vastness and all rushing away from each other at unimaginable speed.

The course will explain how these celestial wonders evolved and how to locate objects in the night sky using star maps, planisphere and/or planetarium software. The key concept of the  'Celestial Sphere' will be explored together with the astronomical co-ordinate system, used to map the sky and by which we locate celestial bodies. We will address all these as well as other important astronomical concepts. Only elementary mathematics will be used where necessary during the course but this will be minimal and it's mention should certainly not dissuade anyone from attending. Average levels of numeracy and literacy will be applicable to this course content.

It is hoped, weather permitting, to include at least one practical observation of the night sky during one of the course sessions. Course members, working as a group, will plan the session by selecting suitable celestial targets and noting their position in the sky. Ownership of a telescope is not strictly necessary for this course as the unaided eye and/or a pair of binoculars will be sufficient. However if members already own their own telescope then they will be encouraged to bring them. The tutor will provide examples of different telescopes designs and optical accessories for discussion and demonstration. He will also demonstrate how to use planetarium software to control a telescope and point it at nominated targets anywhere on the sky.

If there is sufficient interest within the group it may be possible to include discussion and practical demonstration on the use of various types of digital cameras as commonly used for astrophotography. If attendance is high then there will inevitably be delays in all students gaining access to the small number of telescopes available and the tutor asks for the student's understanding and patients in such matters.

By the end of this course students should have a greater understanding of how the night sky works and what can be observed. He or she will have increased awareness and confidence and will be able to locate, identify and observe celestial objects. See the Planned Learning Outcomes listed elsewhere for exact details.

Terry Pullen
Course Tutor June 2009.

Follow these links for additional information - Course Synopsis - Course Programme - Planned Learning Outcomes - - Teaching Methods - Entry Requirements - Further Study & Progression - Additional Costs - Some Information about the Tutor - Further Reading - Online Resources - Enrolling - Future Session Pages

Go to the UK's International Year of Astronomy website
and watch the excellent video

If in the mean time you have any queries or would like to discuss any aspect of the course then please email me using the following link here astro_tutor@tmpullen.org.uk.

Terry Pullen - Tutor June 2009                                                          
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