Name: Backyard Astronomy Class
Start: 2026-04-07T18:30:00-05:00
Location: Castine Center In Pelican Park

Backyard Astronomy Class
**The class is free but registration is required here: https://pelicanpark.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=3249 ***
Always wanted to explore the night sky but don't know where to start? Join our Backyard Astronomy class!
This introductory course is perfect for beginners (high school age & up) designed for those who want to become confident amateur astronomers. No prior knowledge of astronomy or telescopes is required.
The course consists of three one-hour classroom sessions followed by a "Field Night" under the stars.
Classroom: 6:30pm-7:30pm, Pelican Park Castine Center Hall A
Tuesday, April 7th
Monday, April 13th
Tuesday, April 21st
Field night: 7:30pm, Pelican Park Yellow Complex
April 22nd
What You Will Learn:
•The Observable Universe: An overview of the Milky Way, galaxies, nebulae, and deep-sky objects like star clusters.
•Tools of the Trade: Practical guidance on selecting and adjusting binoculars and telescopes.
•Observing Techniques: Master techniques for locating planets, stars, and deep-sky objects, with pro tips for better viewing.
•Avoiding Pitfalls: Learn to manage expectations and avoid the common frustrations encountered by beginners.
Course Highlights
•Guest Speakers: Featuring Dr. David Kern on "The Early Universe" and Jeff Best on "Smart Telescopes."
•Resources: Introduction to the best books, apps, and societies for amateur astronomers.
•Field Night: A hands-on meet-up at an "Astronomy in the Park" star-gazing event.
“Backyard Astronomy” (syllabus)
Three one-hour sessions of interactive classroom instruction capped by a “field night” under the stars. Course participants will learn how to select and adjust binoculars and telescopes, locate and observe celestial objects of interest, and care for their equipment. Participants will also learn to avoid many of the frustrations and pitfalls often encountered by beginners. The course is best suited for those who have an interest in taking up the amateur astronomy hobby. No prior knowledge of astronomy or telescopes is required. High school age and up.
First Session: “The Observable Universe”
> The Milky Way… Our place in it… Its place in the cosmos
> Cosmology discussion (The “Local Group” of galaxies … and beyond)
> Charles Messier and his contribution to observational astronomy
> Deep sky objects (star clusters, nebule, galaxies, double-stars, supernova remnants)
> The New General Catalogue
> Comets and Meteors (the Oort Cloud)
Second Session: “Tools of the Trade” and guest speaker Dr. David Kern “The Early Universe”
> Binoculars (selecting for astronomy, how to adjust and use them)
> Telescope types, mounts, eyepieces, calculating magnification, what’s good, what to avoid
> Light pollution and filters (The “Bortle Scale”)
> Accessories!
> Equipment care and maintenance (Including Newtonian reflector collimation demonstration)
> Telescope show and tell
Third Session: “Locating and Observing Celestial Objects” and guest speaker Jeff Best “Smart Telescopes”
> Level setting (what to realistically expect from a backyard telescope)
> Star-hopping
> The celestial coordinate system and setting circles
> “Rods and Cones” (dark adaptation, averted vision and other viewing hints)
> Techniques for planetary, lunar, and solar observing
> Astronomical Events (occultations, conjunctions, oppositions, comets, meteor showers)
> Atmospheric “seeing”
> Astrophotography discussion
> Reference Material (books, publications, websites and “apps”)
> Societies and organizations
> Latest technology for amateur astronomers

Fourth Session: “Field Night” Meet-Up at an “Astronomy in the Park” star-gazing event
**The class is free but registration is required here: https://pelicanpark.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=3249 ***