Astronomy Workshop Part One & Two
Are you interested in learning how to navigate the night sky? Do you have a telescope or pair of binoculars and not sure how to use them to their full potential? (Or, you’ve borrowed the library’s telescope or binoculars and want to make the most of your time with them?) Join astronomer and learning consultant Robert Conrad for a series of two-hour workshops at the Whistler Public Library.
After attending these workshops, you’ll learn that the journey can be just as rewarding as the destination. Part 1 (Saturday, November 23, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) will include how to plan viewing sessions, identify constellations, describe the various types of deep sky objects, use various types of astronomical star charts, and more. Part 2 (Saturday, November 30, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) will include how to perform important calculations such as eyepiece magnification and true field of view, star hop using binoculars and telescopes to find various deep sky objects, chart the paths of visible comets, asteroids, and non-naked eye planets, and more. Click here to read the detailed list of learning objectives for both workshops.
Participants are encouraged to bring a notebook and a laptop, tablet, or mobile device to practice using Stellarium, a free astronomy simulation software program. Those interested can click here to download the Stellarium app onto their device ahead of the workshops.
Registration is required for these sessions! Participants are encouraged to sign up for Part One & Two for the best possible experience. Email publicservices@whistlerlibrary.ca to sign up.
About the facilitator:
Robert Conrad has taught two astronomy courses at SFU and is the current president and education/observing director of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (Vancouver). He has coached hundreds of beginners and amateur astronomers to turn a hobby and interest into a lifelong passion. He has studied how people learn and has spent hundreds of hours understanding the challenges that many beginners struggle with and filled the gaps that for most enthusiasts, still prevent them from using their telescopes to their full potential. Robert is also the owner of the Whistler Astronomy Facebook Group with more than 2000 members where he notifies members of current and upcoming astronomical events.
