Objectives

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.

Course Content

Course Content

Session 1 begins at the Strasenburgh Planetarium, at 6:00 P.M. At approximately 8:00 P.M., we will drive down to the Wolk Observatory site in Ionia, N.Y., ten minutes south of Mendon, where lessons will continue, and night-sky observing will take place, weather permitting.

Sessions 2-3 will be in the classroom at the Wolk Observatory site, and will start at 7:00 P.M. Classroom sessions will end at dark, and observing sessions will continue as long as clouds and stamina permit.

SESSION 1--MONDAY, AUGUST 28

Using the Strasenburgh Planetarium's star theater, learn how to find your way around the night sky, and how to identify stars, planets, constellations and other objects using a star chart (supplied) and your naked eye. You will also be introduced to the various types of optical aid that are available, and start learning how to use them

SESSION 2--TUESDAY, AUGUST 29

Learn all about the stars that fill the night sky, how they are formed, live and die, and the differences among them. You will be introduced to stars of different colors and sizes, multiple and variable stars, and try out projects you can have your students do. Special attention will be given to the Hertsprung-Russell (HR) diagram.

Learn about the 'deep-sky objects'--star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. You will be introduced to sources of information about these objects, and techniques to use to find them. This session will include a discussion and demonstration of astrophotography. Special emphasis will be placed on simple astrophotography with a camera and tripod that you or your students can do, but special interest groups may be formed for those who want to explore more advanced types of astrophotography. Constellation photography will be practiced.

SESSION 3--WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30

Learn how to study the solar system, from the sun and moon to the planets, meteors, comets and asteroids. You will be introduced to sources of information about these objects, and projects you and your students can do with them. Special emphasis will be placed on the use of computer programs, such as The Sky and Distant Suns, and the internet.

Registration

REGISTRATION AND FEE

Workshop registration will be limited to 15 participants. To receive a registration form, call and leave your name, address (including e-mail, if you have it) and home phone number with Brian Oyer at (585)-225-4001. (Leave a message on the answering machine if necessary.) Alternatively, you can contact Brian via email.

There will be a modest $30 registration fee to cover the cost of materials and the use of the Strasenburgh Planetarium.