Stargazing and Observing Basics

Zoom: Wed Feb 19 7 pm. In-person…look for notices on FB and astro-email
Learn how to see the sky and what’s in it. Please join us (via Zoom) once a month for a chit-chat (what have you seen recently? Any skygazing plans for the upcoming month? Q&A about telescopes and visual astronomy). In-person gatherings will be ad hoc to sync with clear skies (see below). Your hosts are Murray, Berta, and Alister.

Attend via Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84952202279
Fixed monthly zoom sessions: Mar 19, Apr 22, May 21 [ 2025 ] (Generally 3rd Wed)

In-person mentoring when it’s clear: Short notice promotion and cancellation (see Facebook and astro-email). Might be any day of the week. Bring your gear. It’s about you learning the sky, not us giving you a tour. Location: we will be “schoolyard-hopping” to find places where it is easy to set up without megawatt floodlights in our face (know a spot? Let us know!)

Sky map and International Space Station passes are linked below.

As Earth completes a near circle around the Sun, we will cover a range of topics that will help you earn the ‘Explore the Universe’ certificate and pin from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. These include:

  • Finding your way around the sky
  • Moon, Sun, and planet cycles
  • Eyes, binoculars, telescope basics
  • Star clusters, craters on the Moon, comets
  • Using the wonderful RASC Observer’s Handbook

Links to tools, charts, guides:

Summer late evening sky, with ISS pass   (from Heavens-Above)