how to star gaze course on observing cosmic sky

What is the game of stargazing?

The name of the game in stargazing is identifying different stars and constellations in the night sky. While knowing the names of the stars won’t make them shine any brighter or any more awe-inspiring, it will help you identify other stars and constellations by using whatever you’re looking at as a reference point.

What are the tools you need to stargaze?

These are a star chart, a camping chair, binoculars and/or a telescope.

What is a star chart?

Star charts are useful reference tools that give you a simple, at-a-glance overview of the whereabouts, shape, and scale of all the major constellations, planets, galaxies, and stars. Some models can even be rotated to adjust for seasonal variations. Stargazing apps like Star Walk, SkyMap, and Stellarium are, essentially, ...

What is a stargazing app?

Stargazing apps like Star Walk, SkyMap, and Stellarium are, essentially, digitized versions of star charts that have interactive maps of the night sky. Most also have astronomical calendars that give you a heads up on any forthcoming celestial events.

What constellations are in the Northern Hemisphere?

In the northern hemisphere, the most easily identifiable constellations are Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, within which, respectively, you’ll find the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper, as explained in our guide on how to navigate by the stars . The Big Dipper is visible in the northern sky most of the year. It looks like a giant pan with ...

Where is Cassiopeia located?

Other easily locatable stars in the northern sky include the W-shaped Cassiopeia, which is located on the other side of the North Star from the Big Dipper, and the Summer Triangle. To find Cassiopeia, draw an imaginary line from the outermost star on the “panhandle” of the Big Dipper to the other side of the North Star.

How to find Cassiopeia?

To find Cassiopeia, draw an imaginary line from the outermost star on the “panhandle” of the Big Dipper to the other side of the North Star. The Summer Triangle isn’t actually a constellation, but its trio of stars are usually among the most visible at sunset and are just as easy to spot as the Big and Little Dipper.

What is the fundamentals of stargazing?

Fundamentals of Stargazing includes all the explanation and insight you need to understand the heavens, even if you’ve never had the time to study astronomy, and even if you've never taken a science course since high school.

What is the science of stargazing?

The science of astronomy and stargazing to help you understand what you’re looking at, why it’s important, and how it fits into the bigger picture of the galaxy and the universe. Telescopes and observing techniques including tips about how to choose and use binoculars and telescopes, and the basics of 'snapshot astrophotography'.

What is solar system observing?

Solar system observing including detailed tours and observing tips for the Moon, Sun, planets, comets, and meteors. The science of astronomy and stargazing to help you understand what you’re looking at, why it’s important, and how it fits into the bigger picture of the galaxy and the universe.

Can binoculars be used for stargazing?

How to use binoculars for stargazing. Binoculars might seem easier than using a telescope. They have a wider field of view, which makes finding a night-sky object easier. Certainly, they are more portable and don’t take much to set up.

What is the best time to see stars and planets?

To observe stars and planets, the best time is with a dark sky. This means a phase when the moon is not illuminating the sky, either on or near a new moon or before the moon rises or after it has set. For viewing the features of the moon, the opposite is true. You’ll see more features of Earth ’s natural satellite on a full moon.

What is the best time to see Saturn?

To get a better look at planets, such as Saturn and Jupiter, one of the best times is when they are in opposition. Clear crisp nights, which provide good atmospheric viewing conditions, are also the best times for viewing. You’ll generally find more of these during autumn to spring. So a good time is when there is little or no cloud, fog, smog, ...

Do binoculars have a wider field of view?

They have a wider field of view, which makes finding a night-sky object easier. Certainly, they are more portable and don’t take much to set up. One problem with that, however, is the jerking movements that affect your viewing when you’re holding binoculars in your hands.

Can binoculars be mounted on a tripod?

To deal with this, you can mount binoculars on a tripod or try steadying them by resting your elbows on the roof of your vehicle or a fence railing. Binoculars are a great companion when using a telescope as well, because of their wider field of view among other reasons.

Does Udemy have free courses?

Udemy offers free courses including this free course by Professor Chris Impey from the Steward Observatory at the University of Arizona. And paid ones: Udemy offers paid courses also, including the backyard astronomy course by Rod Miller, which is a best seller.

Month 1 – March

Science of Stargazing – The Layout of the Night Sky#N#Tools of Stargazing – Visual Observing Basics#N#Solar System – A Tour of the Planet Jupiter#N#Sky Tours (North) – Orion and region, Taurus, Canis Major, Auriga, Eridanus#N#Sky Tours (South) – Orion and region, Taurus, Canis Major, Auriga, Puppis, Eridanus#N#Deep-Sky Tours – Star clusters and nebulae in the March sky#N#Month 1 Worksheet – Test and use your new astronomy knowledge and expertise.

Month 11 – January

Science of Stargazing – The cosmic distance scale; Type Ia supernovae#N#Tools of Stargazing – Basics of astronomical imaging#N#Solar System – Observing Comets#N#Sky Tours (North) – Tour of the southern constellations#N#Sky Tours (South) – Tour of the northern constellations#N#Deep-Sky Tours – Star Clusters, galaxies, double stars, and nebulae in the January sky#N#Month 11 Worksheet – Test and use your new astronomy knowledge and expertise.

The Science of Astronomy

These twelve sections take you through the basic science that’s relevant to backyard stargazers. In the first sections, you learn the basics of the night sky: how it’s laid out, the key points and circles around the sky that help you navigate, and how the sky appears to move from day to day and year to year.

Monthly Sky Tours – Northern Hemisphere

Here you get basic tours of the major stars and constellations visible from the northern hemisphere throughout the year. These tours will get you familiar with the sky and will help you prepare for further exploration of the sky with binoculars or a telescope. You can read these sections in any order.

Monthly Sky Tours – Southern Hemisphere

Here you get basic tours of the major stars and constellations visible from the southern hemisphere throughout the year. These tours will get you familiar with the sky and will help you prepare for further exploration of the sky with binoculars or a telescope.

Solar System Observing

These sections are detailed explanations and guides to help you see sights in our own solar system. Here you learn about all seven major planets visible in the night sky, the basics of lunar and solar observation, comets, and meteors. You learn not only about what to see, but how to see it with your unaided eye, binoculars, or a telescope.

Tools of Stargazing

You can see a lot with only your unaided eyes once you know how and where to look. But eventually, you will want to acquire tools to help you see more in the night sky.

Deep-Sky Tours

There’s plenty to see in our own solar system, enough for a lifetime of enjoyment. But the space between the stars is amazingly transparent, which means you can see innumerable celestial objects that are hundreds and thousands (and even millions) of light years away.

Month 1 – March 2016

Science of Stargazing – The Layout of the Night Sky#N#Tools of Stargazing – Visual Observing Basics#N#Solar System – A Tour of the Planet Jupiter#N#Sky Tours (North) – Orion and region, Taurus, Canis Major, Auriga, Eridanus#N#Sky Tours (South) – Orion and region, Taurus, Canis Major, Auriga, Puppis, Eridanus#N#Deep-Sky Tours – Star clusters and nebulae in the March sky#N#Month 1 Worksheet – Test and use your new astronomy knowledge and expertise.

Month 11 – January 2017

Science of Stargazing – The cosmic distance scale; Type Ia supernovae#N#Tools of Stargazing – Basics of astronomical imaging#N#Solar System – Observing Comets#N#Sky Tours (North) – Tour of the southern constellations#N#Sky Tours (South) – Tour of the northern constellations#N#Deep-Sky Tours – Star Clusters, galaxies, double stars, and nebulae in the January sky#N#Month 11 Worksheet – Test and use your new astronomy knowledge and expertise.

Month 12 – February 2017

Science of Stargazing – Quasars: the farthest thing you can see#N#Tools of Stargazing – Introduction to deep-sky video astronomy#N#Solar System – Solar Observation; Solar and lunar eclipses#N#Sky Tours (North) – Orion revisited#N#Sky Tours (South) – Orion revisited#N#Deep-Sky Tours – Five ‘challenge objects’ to find in February#N#Month 12 Worksheet – Test and use your new astronomy knowledge and expertise.

Course Table of Contents

Click here to download the full Table of Contents for Fundamentals of Stargazing.

The Big Dipper: Hop to Spring's Sky Sights

The Big Dipper is one of the most familiar sights in the Northern Hemisphere’s night skies. You can use its stars to locate other fun targets.

A Quick Tour of Orion, the Hunter

The evening sky this week presents a near perfect opportunity to explore winte'rs marquee constellation, Orion, with binoculars or a small telescope.

Astronomy for Beginners: How to Get Started in Backyard Astronomy

Astronomy doesn't deserve its reputation as a tough, expensive hobby. You just need to begin with the right advice.

Astronomy Books: Wrapping Up 2017

Wondering what to read next? Looking for a gift for the amateur astronomer in your life? Check out these new astronomy books!

Native American Full Moon Names

Native American tribes each had their own full Moon names — we introduce the most commonly used ones and the traditions behind them.

Stargazing Simplified

Learn some of the classic stargazing sights that can be best viewed through a smaller telescope.

Learn Constellations with a Planisphere

How do you find out what stars are visible tonight? With a planisphere or "star wheel." It's easy!