Getting Started with Astronomy - Astronomy for Beginners

When you look up on a clear night, from the darkest place you can find, you'll see stars, planets, the Moon and more.

Stargazing like this brings joy and a sense of wonder.

But sometimes it brings frustration. You'll ask yourself: What is that object? Why is the sky moving? How can I understand the cosmos?

When you look a the same sky with knowledge, being able to name objects, explain their movements and look deeper into the spaces between the stars, your curiosity will take over. You will want to learn more, see more, discover the universe.

This course you will get started.

• Discover what you can see without a telescope.

• Learn how to identify what the objects are, a star, a planet, even galaxies and nebulae.

• Find your dark sky so that you can see more, and go deeper into the universe.

About your host

I'm Lisa Harvey, host of Everyday Astronomers and this mini-course. I wanted to create a place where people could unleash their curiosity and discover new things about the universe, meet like-minded people and share the joy of discovery.

I've been watching the stars for decades and my telescope has taken me to the most beautiful places in space.

I've spent a lot of time creating online communities and online courses and now I can combine this experience with my passion for amateur astronomy.

About this course?

After founding Our Wide Sky a few years ago, many people have asked for beginner tips and information. There is very little available that takes the approach of curiosity and wonder. Most are highly technical, with a lot of science, which does not always suit a beginner.

This course was created with the real beginner in mind. Someone, like you who does not want complicated models and diagrams. Someone, like you who wants to understand a small amount and then choose to move on

The course is videos with transcripts, some text lessons and resources such as checklists and workbooks.

This course is designed for people who know only that they want to know more about the night sky.

Be a Knowledgeable Stargazer

This is a mini-course, and not intended to go into depth about subject matter. Other Everyday Astronomer courses will take you deeper into your astronomy knowledge. But you will get enough information to be able to identify objects, know about what you can see and explain how the sky moves above your head.

This is a quick introduction that gives you a place to start with your visual, naked eye observing.

You'll learn:

• Learn how to observe without a telescope.

• Discover how the sky moves.

• Understand why the stars are different in Summer and in Winter.

• Find out what you can see from where you are.

• Learn the easy ways to identify the objects you see.

• Find the best place for you to view the stars.

Just looking at the stars is a moving experience. Imagine how much more satisfying it can be if you know just a little bit more.