Astronomy: The Stargazer's Path - The Next Steps

This course is all about deepening your observational skills, capturing the cosmos, and engaging with the universe in new ways!

Observing & Recording the Sky

• Quick telescope refresher: key parameters, celestial sphere, and polar alignment.

• Navigate the sky using the Sun and stars—what can you see with the naked eye or binoculars?

• Track the Moon and Sun’s movement over the year.

• Keep an observing log with sketching techniques for telescopic and solar observations.

Simple Astrophotography

• Get started with imaging using smartphones, DSLRs, webcams, or dedicated astro-cameras.

• Master the balance between exposure, gain, and aperture.

• Learn planetary/lunar imaging techniques and file formats (JPEG, TIFF, FITS, AVI).

• Engage in projects: star trails, ISS tracking, and animations.

• Process images with stacking software, Photoshop, and free alternatives.

What to Observe

• Explore key lunar, solar, and planetary features (like lunar rilles).

• Find and identify deep sky objects by constellation.

• Create your own observing plan.

Measuring the Universe

• Conduct simple astronomical measurements with basic materials.

• Beyond the Backyard

• Access remote observatories and download NASA images for processing.

• Contribute to citizen science projects like Zooniverse.