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Stargazing
is easy, and astronomy is something anyone can do and
enjoy. You just have to get started off on the right
foot. Starting out wrong can lead to disappointment,
frustration, and wasted money. Starting out right can lead to
a lifetime of celestial exploration and enjoyment. Today, the
hobby of astronomy - the biggest and most mind-boggling branch of
amateur nature study - is attracting more people than
ever. The Kalamazoo Astronomical Society is happy to present a
five-part lecture series that will help you become a star-hopping
skymaster!
| Part 1: |
Our
Place Among the Infinities
January 14th |
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For
a long time, the stars were merely pinpoints of light on the black
backdrop of the heavens. Before massive mountaintop telescopes came
along, all we could observe were the Sun, Moon, planets, their
satellites, and the occasional comet. Today we know that those
pinpoints of light are distant suns and that we live in a remote corner
of one galaxy amongst billions. For our first presentation,
we'll travel through our solar system, explore the star clusters and
nebulae of our Milky Way Galaxy, and the countless other galaxies in
this vast, infinite universe. |
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| Part 2: |
Discovering the Night Sky
January
28th |
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Is
that a bright star or a planet? Where's the constellation
Orion? Your first task as an amateur astronomer is to learn
your
way around the night sky. Learn how to find any star or
constellation in the night sky with the use of a simple star
map. We'll also look at several of the best books geared
toward the novice
stargazer and the many sophisticated planetarium programs for your home
computer. |
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| Part 3: |
Binocular
Basics
February
11th |
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Every
amateur astronomer, novice or advanced, should own at least one good
pair of binoculars. They make an ideal first "telescope"
because
of their wide field of view, ease of use, portability, versatility, and
low cost. Several types of binoculars are available, but
which
ones are best for astronomy? You’ll be amazed at what you can
see! |
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| Part 4: |
Telescope
Tutorial
February
25th |
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Sooner
or later, every amateur astronomer faces the decision of purchasing a
first telescope. There are literally hundreds of choices
today! What's the difference between a refractor and
reflector? Which telescope is the right one for you? To make this
daunting task easier, we'll compare several of the top telescopes
available today and tell you which ones to avoid. We'll also look at
the countless array of accessories available for your
telescope. If you already have a telescope but need help then
bring it along. |
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| Part 5: |
The Art of Astrophotography
March
10th |
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Astrophotography
is the art of photographing the night sky. In the past few
years that art has undergone a revolution as digital cameras have
overtaken their film counterparts. In some ways this has made
the field more technical, but in many ways shooting the sky is easier
than ever! We’ll start with the basics like using a stationary
photographic tripod and work our way up to imaging with sophisticated
CCD cameras. Constellation patterns, the Milky Way, the
night-to-night motion of the planets, bright comets, northern lights,
and perhaps a meteor all await you. |
| Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm |
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Location:
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Admission is FREE but we ask that you please register for the lecture
series by contacting us
through this website. This will ensure we have enough materials for everyone. Those participants that attend ALL FIVE parts
will receive a Certificate of Completion. Only then will you be a full-fledged amateur astronomer!
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