Astronomy
Course Description
Astronomy
The scientific study of the universe and the objects in it, including stars, planets, nebulae, and galaxies. Astronomy deals with the position, size, motion, composition, energy, and evolution of celestial objects. Astronomers analyze not only visible light but also radio waves, x-rays, and other ranges of radiation that come from sources outside the Earth's atmosphere.
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Star Gazers - Where Did All These Constellations Come From
Equatorial Coordinate System
Stargazing - getting started in astronomy
Backyard Astronomy Chapter Textbook
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Backyard Astronomy
You can learn many of the same things that classical astronomers did by simply watching the night sky. But there is a bonus as well. Backyard astronomy is just plain fun, as evidenced by the many thousands of amateur astronomers who in their spare time pursue activities ranging from simply stargazing to searching for new comets.
This section is intended to give you some hints on how to become an amateur astronomer, beginning with learning the constellations and some of the stories associated with them. We will then briefly discuss small telescopes and star charts, introducing some of the terms used to describe the location of the planets. We will conclude with a description of some of the changes in your eye when you are observing in very dim light.
Weather permitting, the aurora borealis could be visible as far as south as Iowa in the middle of the country. (Source: Keith Vanderlinde, National Science Foundation) (Source: Keith Vanderlinde, National Science Foundation)
If the conditions are right, it can be beautiful.