STAR SEARCH COURSES

About

Fantastic opportunity to learn how to navigate your way around the night sky using the constellations as your guide. Taught in one of our Observatory Domes under the backdrop of a historic telescope and outside under the stars, you will learn how to recognise star patterns and find out more about the mythologies behind them.

Four-week evening course is designed to look at the whole sky with just your eyes! The course will help you understand what a star is, recognise the most prominent constellations so you can use them to navigate your way around the night sky and learn why some of the constellations are not visible throughout the year. In ancient times many stories were attached to the constellations and we will explore some of these mythologies. You will also learn how to use a planisphere and look at star maps.

In the final week we will be learning about other objects as well as the stars including the Moon and planets. There will also be a brief introduction to some deeper sky objects nestled within the constellations, that can be spotted through binoculars.

The course is partly classroom based but it is hoped that, weather permitting, there will be plenty of opportunity to translate what has been learned indoors to the actual night sky on clear evenings. On the last evening you are welcome to bring binoculars if you have them, to spot some of the deeper sky objects discussed during the lecture.

This course is aimed at adults. If you wish to enquire about booking an under 18 (with an accompanying adult) onto the course then please phone The Centre on 01323 832731.

Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm, weekly.