Observing the night sky

Abstract

The workshop aims to orient and introduce participants to the basic principles and topics in observational astronomy. It is designed to provide educators and students basic knowledge in astronomy through lectures and interesting activities. Participants should have a basic knowledge of trigonometry. The outline of the workshop is as follows:

• The celestial sphere
  • The Earth in Space
  • Locating celestial objects 
    • Altitude-Azimuth coordinates
    • Right ascension and declination

• Activity 1: Locating major stars in a star map

• Basic properties of the Solar System
  • The Sun
  • Inner planets
  • Outer planets
  • Comets and asteroids

• Activity 2: The moons of Jupiter

• History and identification of major constellations
  
  • Ursa Major and Ursa Minor
    • Locating the North Star
  • The Zodiac constellations
  • Orion and nearby constellations
  • The Summer Triangle

• Activity 3: Determining patterns in the night sky

Materials needed for the workshop includes images of the Galilean moons, and star maps. If time and resources are available, a telescope will be provided for a telescope viewing session at night (this is subject to baggage space and manpower availability). Materials will be provided by the proponent.