For anyone in grades 4 through adult, this Introduction to Astronomy for beginners is a workshop that will have you literally exploring outer space on your own computer. We will learn to use a planetarium program that you can download for free. Explore the solar system, stars, constellations, and planets.

Friday, July 17, 6:30-8:30 pm, we will focus on asteroids, meteors, and major impact sites. We will examine various meteorites, rocks from outer space that are older than the Earth, and even pieces of the moon and Mars! Explore the geology of the planets and moons, and learn how one big impact changed life on Earth.

Friday, July 31, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, we will focus on the outer planets such as Pluto and other ice worlds. We will examine various meteorites, and learn about comets, and explore what lies in the outer regions beyond Pluto! For a finale, we will freeze Liquid Nitrogen solid to recreate the surface of Pluto!

Friday, Aug 28, 6:30-8:30 pm, we will focus on Earth's Moon, the names of full moons, and what distinguishes it from other moons in the solar system. We will examine how our moon rotates, revolves, and goes through phases, and how solar and lunar eclipses work. We will also examine the moon's geology and hold a rock from the moon.

Friday, Sep 11, 6:30-8:30 pm, we will explore gravity, relativity, warping of space-time, time dilation, and how time travel works (or doesn't). We will examine how space bends in hands-on gravity-well experiments! As a requisite to this class, please watch the movie "Interstellar" by producer Christopher Nolan (allow 3 hours).

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In future workshops:

 -- you will explore current events in space science with rovers and space probes, NASA, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and others. Also learn about the milestones in space exploration and where we are headed in the future.

 -- you will learn about the tools of astronomy and the milestones in discovery of how the universe works. Calculate distances in Light Years. Learn about reflector vs. refractor telescopes, and how solar telescopes safely view the hydrogen-helium fusion on the surface of the sun.

 -- you will get to handle meteorites, enjoy a full-dome planetarium show, handle models of rovers and rockets, look through telescopes, and even touch a piece of the moon!