# The Basic Course in Field astronomy begins from 3rd November 09

# Pre-course meeting will be held at Jnana Prabodhini Prashala on Saturday 24st October 09, 5pm in Room no 405. The details of lectures and dates will be handed over on this day.

# Course will be conducted in 2 batches
Batch A - Weekday batch, whose lectures will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday (7pm to 9pm)
Batch B - Weekend Batch, whose lectures will be held on Saturday and Sunday (6pm to 8 pm)

The course will be conducted in two parts. There will be several theoretical sessions and some practical sessions

 Theoretical Session

 A] Fundamental astronomical objects and forces

 1. Introduction of astronomical objects

a. Birth, life and death of stars

b. Nebulae (structure and types)

c. Clusters (structure and types)

d. Galaxies (structure and types)

e. Scale of universe

f. Various catalogues

 
2. Introduction to Solar system

a. Birth story of Solar system

b. Various objects from solar system and its significance

c. Human reach in solar system

3. Basics of Night sky

a. Conceptual understanding of Constellations, Zodiacs

b. Indian theories and western theories

c. Shapes of various important constellations and locations of important galactic objects

4. Mathematics of the sky

a. Co-ordinate system
b. Sun and moon calculations
c. Calculations of rise and set in various seasons
d. Moon motions and tide calculations

B] Introduction to Equipments

1.      Origin of telescope

2.      History & Scientists

3.      Milestones

4.      Types and Structures of telescopes

5.      Types of mounts

6.      Telescope power & Field view calculations

C] Mapping, Softwares and Using Internet

1.      Various available softwares and how to use them

2.      Map making with the help of softwares

3.      Star charts

4.      Meteorite mapping

5.      tracking manmade satellites

6.      Online communities and forum to keep knowledge updated

Practical Sessions

Practical 1 – (Half night practical)

Location: Vetal hill

> Erection of manual equatorial mounts telescope

> Alignment of view finder and main eye piece

> First objects

Practical 2 – (Full night practical)

Location: Tamhini

> Identifying various zodiacs and constellations

> Identifying various popular deep sky objects

> Direction identification using night sky