An Introduction to Astronomy and Space Science Workshop – January 2019

Lead Tutor: Dr Gabby Provan

Course Description

This course, led by an expert astrophysicist who has worked on Earth, Jupiter and Saturn, will teach you to look at the sky in a new way. It will tell you about the ways that ancient astronomers first looked at the skies – including the names and discoveries we got from Babylonian and Islamic astronomers. It will show you how telescopes work, and we hope to be able to give you a tour of an observatory. You’ll also get to see an actual aurora, and have a night sky view in a pop-up planetarium. We’ll take you right up to date by telling you about the latest in the hunt for planets around other stars.

By the time you’ve completed this course you will know:

• Why, how and when people first started looking at the night sky
• Different ways we investigate planets in our solar system . . . and in other solar systems
• How the planets in our solar system are different from each other
• How magnetic fields work, and what auroras look like!

Please note that a minimum of 10 students are required to run this course.

Concessions: we are able to offer a limited number of places at concession rates for those on benefits or under the tax threshold. Please contact us using the contact form for more information.