"Astronomy for Beginners" Program [Jim's Blog]

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====== "Astronomy for Beginners" Program ======

<wrap lo>Wednesday February 27, 2019</wrap>

Everyone loves a beautiful night sky.

{{ :stargazing.jpg?400 |}}

But, maybe you’d like to learn more?

===== What We’ll Cover =====

I’ll be visiting several Dayton Metro library locations this late Spring and Summer. Come and learn about:

  * The tools and challenges of observational (specifically: optical) astronomy.
    * Naked eye, binoculars, telescope.
    * I bring a telescope on-site, and I discuss how to use it. Please note: These are daytime sessions, so we won’t be doing any “live viewing”.
  * How astronomy began
  * Learning the night sky
    * Star maps
    * Star hopping
  * Identifying objects in the night sky: constellations, asterisms, individual stars, planets, artificial satellites, deep sky objects.
  * Choosing a telescope.
    * What to look for, and what to avoid.
    * Major brands: Celestron, Meade, Skywatcher, Orion.
  * Expectations vs Reality
  * Events, like eclipses, comets, and meteor showers.
    * I also have meteorite samples for everyone to see and touch!
  * Computer software for sky-watching.
  * I also talk about coordinate systems: How astronomers describe the positions of objects in the night sky. (Math is kept to a minimum!)

===== Audience =====

The content is intended for an audience as young as 3rd grade, but should be of interest to older kids and adults as well.

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Please Note: The Dayton Metro Library events calendar lists this as “K-4”, but in reality I believe kids K – 1st grade, and maybe 2nd, will struggle a bit with this material. ALL ARE WELCOME, just be aware. Thanks!
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===== Schedule =====

Each event lasts approximately an hour.

^ Date / Time ^ Location (branch) ^
| Monday, May 20th, 6pm | Trotwood |
| Thursday, June 6th, 6:30pm | New Lebanon |
| Saturday, June 8th, 2pm | Huber Heights |
| Saturday, June 15th, 3pm | Northwest |
| Thursday, June 20th, 5:30pm | West Carrollton |
| Saturday, June 22nd, 3:30pm | Wilmington-Stroop |
| Tuesday, July 9th, 7pm | Vandalia |
| Thursday, July 11th, 5:30pm | Electra C. Doren |
| Saturday, July 20th, 2pm | Miamisburg |
| Tuesday, July 23rd, 6:30pm | Burkhardt |
| Saturday, August 10th, 4pm | Kettering-Moraine |