Join Aric for a comprehensive training on choosing and using a telescope, including how to find and observe planets, galaxies, nebulae, clusters, and individual stars.

The course will be taught live, on Zoom, over the following Sundays (6pm start time):

September 3rd

September 10th

September 24th

October 1st

October 8th

Course contents include:

The Late Summer Sky

The end of summer and early autumn are some of the best times of the year for stargazing, with earlier sunsets, the rich center of the Milky Way high overhead in the twilight, and the return of the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn, there’s something in the night sky for everyone. We’ll cover seasonal highlights of the evening sky as well as how to find objects without using complicated star charts.

The Cosmic Backyard

The night sky is filled with incredible objects to see: galaxies, nebulae, clusters, binary stars, and much more. Just what are these objects and why do we need special equipment to see them? This week we’ll get acquainted with the basic celestial objects, as well as simple constellations, the planets, and other objects that fill out our cosmic backyard.

How To Find Anything in the Night Sky

Learn how to find the North Star, read star charts, track phases of the moon, and use a virtual planetarium on your phone, tablet, or computer. Additionally you’ll learn how to use completely free resources to find out what’s happening each week in the night sky. No background experience required!

Telescopes and Binoculars: Choosing the Right One

When it comes to using a telescope, there are countless options available, but choosing the right one can be overwhelming. You’ll learn the basic principles of telescope operation, differences in telescope designs, and most importantly how to find one that’s right for you.

Observing Techniques

Whether you’re using binoculars, a telescope, or just the naked eye, there are basic skills that will greatly enhance your viewing experience. We’ll cover basic observing techniques like averted vision, eyepiece selection, and session planning to help you get the most out of your stargazing.

You'll be sent a custom link for Zoom around 2 days before each workshop. You'll also get a login to an online portal, where the replays will be uploaded within 2 working days.

All replays are lifetime access, so you can come back to them, again and again, and learn more every time.