Astronomical Observing 101 Class

DAS members can register for this 7-week course put on by DAS members for members by visiting https://members.denverastro.org/event-6028371

We encourage our members to attend all seven dates, as each session builds upon the information learned in the previous sessions.

Syllabus

Module 1 Introduction (1.5 hours) (March 11th, 7-9)

1. Roadmap of the topics to be covered in the overall Program.

2. Types of astronomical objects that can be optically observed in the night sky (including Moon, Planets, Stars, Galaxies, Milky Way, Nebulae, Comets, and Meteors); Observation in Northern vs. Southern Hemisphere; How Observations differ with the Seasons.

Module 2 Observing with the Naked Eye (1 hour) (March 18th, 7-9)

1. Review the Roadmap of the topics and a quick review of Module 1 subjects covered.

2. Navigating the Night Sky with the Naked Eye; Celestial Locations (Right Ascension –Declination; Azimuth – Altitude); Use of angular measurements.

Module 3 Optical Observing Tools (1.5 hours) (March 25^th, 7-9)

1. Review the Roadmap of the topics and a quick review of Module 2 subjects covered.

2. Different types of Optical Observing Tools (including binoculars and telescopes); Refractor vs. Reflector telescopes (including costs, magnification vs. field of view); brief discussion on types of telescope mounts (including altitude/azimuth, Dobsonian, German equatorial, and mount costs)

3. Denver Astronomical Society telescope loaner program

4. A short discussion on how these tools differ from Radio Astronomy observing tools;

Module 4 Outdoor Lab Session (1.5 hours) (April 1^st, 7-9)

1. Review the Roadmap of the topics and a quick review of Module 3 subjects covered.

2. How to set up and use your reflector or refractor telescope (including counterweight balancing, aligning finder scope with main optical tube, and focuser operation)

Module 5 Observation Planning (1 hour) (April 8^th, 7-9)

1. Review the Roadmap of the topics and a quick review of Module 4 subjects covered.

2. Resources for planning observing sessions (including websites such as Telescopius, software such as Stellarium and Sky Safari, and periodicals such as Astronomy, Sky and Telescope).

Module 6 Basic Astrophotography (1 hour) (April 15^th, 7-9)

1. Review the Roadmap of the topics and a quick review of Module 5 subjects covered.

2. Taking photographs of the Sun, Milky Way, Comets, larger galaxies, and nebulae with a DSLR or Mobile Phone (including exposure settings, ‘rule of 500’); special precautions for imaging the Sun.

3. Denver Astronomical Society resources which be used (including Kline-Dodge Dark Sky Site, Sandstone Ranch)

Module 7 Deep Sky Astro Photography (1 hour) (April 22^nd, 7-9)

1. Review the Roadmap of the topics and a quick review of Module 6 subjects covered.

2. Introduction to Deep Sky Photography (including equipment requirements, tracking mounts, and post-processing software).

3. Denver Astronomical Society’s Astrophotography Special Interest Group (ASIG)