Suitable for beginners. If you are a non member we will automatically enroll you as a member for a year. The classes will be delivered on the Zoom platform.
The classes begin on Wednesday February 1st and run for 8 consecutive weeks for 2 hours starting at 7PM. The classes are suitable for young and old alike. No knowledge of astronomy, science or maths is needed. You can just sit back and enjoy the 8 classes. Logon details/link for zoom will be sent to you before 12pm on Wednesday 1st February the day the classes start.
Astronomy Ireland is the world’s most popular astronomy society.
It has been running evening courses for beginners for many years. Thousands of people have taken these courses since then, making them by far Ireland’s most popular astronomy classes.
Everyone is welcome to the course whether you are a member of Astronomy Ireland or not, in fact if you are not a member we will make you a member by including a subscription to Astronomy Ireland magazine so that you will be kept up to date after the classes with all the latest developments in space.
The course begins on Wednesday 1st and run for 8 consecutive weeks for 2 hours starting at 7PM. This course is suitable for young and old alike. No knowledge of astronomy, science or maths is needed. You can just sit back and enjoy the 8 classes.
Course Content
The course is given over a period of 8 weeks and covers the following topics.
Introduction to the Night Sky
Find out about the night sky and many amazing sights such as the Milky Way
It is so large it takes light about 100,000 years to cross it. Earth is about 25,000 light-years from the centre of the Milky Way.
The Sun and the Moon
Learn about the Sun and the Moon; their history, how they affect us here on Earth and how they interact during an eclipse.
The image to the right was taken during the 2008 solar eclipse that was visible over Russia.
The Planets and Stars
Learn about the planets that make up our Solar System, and how other stars compare to the Sun
The History of Astronomy
Learn how astronomy has been studied through history by people including the builders of Newgrange
Newgrange is over 5,000 years old, making it older than both Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Giza! Every winter, on the morning of the shortest day, the rising sun shines directly into the passage leading to the tomb in the centre.
Telescopes
Learn how to set up and use a telescope yourself
Deep Sky Objects
Space is big, really big. You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is. – Douglas Adams- Take the chance to find out for yourself just how much Douglas Adams got things right when he said that.
Cosmology
Learn about cosmology, the history and the fate of the universe.
Exoplanets and the search for life beyond Earth
Learn about the search for new planets beyond our Solar Systems and the life that we might find there.