East Valley Astronomy Club (EVAC) is offering an introductory class targeted to persons who are considering purchasing a telescope, or who have a telescope and would like to learn how to use it. The class covers topics such as the different types of telescopes, telescope mounts, accessories and considerations for purchasing a telescope. It also covers basic concepts useful for amateur astronomers including what to expect from your telescope, appropriate objects for viewing, understanding the night sky, planning an observing session and techniques used for locating objects. Classes will be held via ZOOM on Monday evenings and will be recorded.
Labs are hands-on and involve utilization of a small telescope (Bring your own, or one will be supplied). The intent of the labs is to ensure students are comfortable with using a telescope and to teach basic techniques used to locate and view various objects. Labs will be scheduled for Saturday evenings. In the event of poor weather, Sunday evening will be the fallback lab day.
Course size will be limited and will be closed once limit have been reached.
Making your own Solar Filter
Zoom Meeting Recordings (MP4 files)
2023-01-10
Chapter 1: Introduction - Student
Introductions, Setting Expectations, Factors impacting what you will see,
Lab review.
2023-01-17
Chapter 2: The Night Sky - Coordinate
Systems, Seasons, Magnitude and Bortle Scales, Catalogs, Multiple Star
Systems
2023-01-24
Chapter 3: Mounts and Telescopes -
Types of Mounts, Drives and Telescopes. Deep
Sky Objects, and Techniques for finding objects.
2023-01-31
Chapter 4: Accessories - Various
supporting equipment, books, applications, and resources that help planning
your observation session and during your observations.
2023-02-07 Chapter 5: Using Your Telescope - Overview of approaches to Astrophotography, Telescope Maintenance, Review of Session Planning Tools
5 Zoom Classes and 5 hands-on Labs
$10 for EVAC Members
$25 for EVAC non-members
Ages 15 and up
Class size will limited to 10-15 students based on resources available (IE volunteers & available telescopes)
2022 Fall
Class Survey Results
Weekly ZOOM Class
5 recorded classes, 90 minutes each
Tuesdays 7pm – 8:30pm
First Class: Tuesday, January 10
Last Class Tuesday, February 7
ZOOM Meeting Details
Join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82453191014?pwd=b1Q5cFY1VTQ4OFBkWUVmZWpKL203QT09
Meeting ID: 824 5319 1014
Passcode: 849620
Weekly Labs: 5 Labs (Gilbert Rotary Central Observatory)
5 Labs, 2 hours each
Saturdays 6:30pm – 8:30pm (*Except Day Labs)
Clouds: Sunday 5:30pm
First Lab: *Saturday, January 14th (First lab will be a day lab to assess equipment)
Last Lab Saturday, February 11th
The following information will be required from each student for registration:
Name
Contact Information
Email Address
Contact Phone Number
Do you have a telescope you plan on bringing to the labs?
Make & Model of telescope (If you own one)
For more information feel free to email James Yoder at jty.Astro@ArtCentrics.com
We are looking for volunteers to assist with the labs. Volunteers will need to be comfortable with operating a small telescope, and will be assisting up to 6 students in learning how to use provided telescopes. If you are interested, please provide the following information:
Contact Information: Name, Phone Number and Email Address
Years you have been an amateur astronomer
If you have a telescope you would be willing to bring to the labs for use (not mandatory)
Any restrictions (ie availability for lab fallback nights of Saturday or Sunday)