Astronomy – Looking at the Night Sky.     #07541

This course will guide people who are fascinated by the night sky. Our experienced tutor Becky Bateman, both astronomer and teacher, will lead you through  basic observations and interesting facts and stories about stars, planets, moons and constellations, to further extended learning and noticing of what is happening above us, in the night sky.

One of the four evenings will include a field trip out to observe the sky with telescopes and binoculars.

Where: REAP House, 340 Queen Street, Masterton

Tutor:  Becky Bateman

Dates:  Tuesdays, Nov 3, 10, 17, 24

When:  7:30pm – 9:00pm

Cost:    $55

ENROL HERE

COURSE INFORMATION FOR …   Astronomy 101 –  Online

Course Tutor:  Becky Bateman

Becky Bateman is an award winning stargazing guide. She has loved looking up and wondering about the stars ever since she was a little girl in England. She brought her passion and knowledge over to New Zealand ten years ago and is blown away by the sky here. Today, she runs a nomadic stargazing business in the Wairarapa called Under The Stars and believes that everyone should be able to see the night sky. She is a founding member of the Wairarapa Dark Sky Society which aims to make Wairarapa into an International Dark Sky Reserve.

Purpose of the Course:

Becky will guide you through a four week course, Astronomy Online. This course is designed for people who are fascinated by the night sky, Wairarapa hosts who may be having visitors asking about the night sky or people who have a small understanding of astronomy but would like to know more. We will be going over the basics but also extending your learning further. No astronomy background is required.

• Participants will learn about…

  • Week One: The Sun to Pluto and Everything In between  – 14 and 16 April

    Find out about how the Sun shines, what makes a planet and why Pluto isn’t one anymore. Discover which planet used to be called George and which one rains diamonds. All this plus Moon calendars, asteroids and how Jupiter helped wipe out the Dinosaurs.

  • Week Two: Beyond the Solar System – 21 and 23 April

    Whereabouts is our Solar System, what are galaxies and why do they look like drunk octopuses? Discover the answers, plus how black holes are made and why you would be best to avoid them, see the baby universe photo album and why we shouldn’t be worried about the Andromeda Galaxy.

  • Week Three: Life, Aliens and Where Are They? – 28 – 30 April

    Why have we not found any aliens yet? The reasons is a little more complicated than you might think. We look at suitable worlds, what aliens may be like, the goldilocks zone and the problems of communication. And whose voice would Aliens hear first and why is a water bear so interesting to astrobiologists?

  • Week Four: Observation Night (TBC)

    This session will take place after the Code 1 returns at the earliest, though Becky will also alert you to some was you can begin understand more about what you are seeing.. We will be observing the Autumn sky, understanding the link between constellations and stars, taking a look at some celestial objects and nearby deep sky objects. You will be able to see the Milky Way Galaxy and understand through myths and legends how it was an important marker for ancient peoples. You will learn how to read the sky by celestial navigation techniques, star hopping and reading a star map. We bring telescopes and binoculars to help you look deeper into space.