Suburban Sky Watching - Class Details

Course Objectives:

• Get to know the night sky
• Read and use a sky map
• Observe our moon and its phases
• Plan your viewing sessions & location
• Keep a personal observing log
• Learn the major constellations (Fall & Winter)
• Find major objects in the sky (in our solar system & beyond)
• Explore Internet tools & online references

Class Topics and Sections:

Explore Internet tools & online references
- SkyViewCafe
- Skymaps
- Heavens-Above

Read and understand a full sky map (using Skymap download)
- Layout and symbols
- Finding the constellations & bright stars
- Orientation when looking up

Observe our moon and its phases
- Choosing a calendar with phases

Plan your viewing sessions & keeping an observing log
- Picking a viewing spot
- Watching the weather
- Prepare your “watch list”
- Take notes on site or add later

Resources for learning the constellations & bright stars
- Current full sky skymap
- Books & magazines
- Wikipedia

Info on the FSC Observatory, Agnes Scott College Observatory, Tellus Museum & Observatory

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V1.0 - Initial content, 8-3-26