CHF 399
This course is aimed at all those interested in astronomy, whether beginners or enlightened amateurs. The aim is to provide a solid foundation for understanding, analyzing, observing and photographing the wonders of the sky. The common thread running through the course is the discovery and exploration of everything an amateur astronomer can observe or capture from Earth with a telescope.
Our journey begins in the solar system, with a focus - first and foremost - on our natural satellite (the Moon). Next, we'll explore the planets, especially those that visibly adorn our night sky. We'll introduce the easily observable planets, including Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Before leaving our solar system, we'll take a look at the Sun and comets.
After this overview, which will have given us the keys to understanding what surrounds us directly, we'll take a step back to look at galaxies (origins, formation, dynamics), nebulae (planetary, diffuse, dark or reflective). Of course, we won't forget globular and open clusters, as well as quasars, pulsars and black holes. All this with a view to understanding and apprehending what we, as amateur astronomers, are led to observe and/or photograph.
This journey, to be understood in a fundamental way, will require a good understanding of the distances and dimensions we're talking about. That's why we'll be spending some time getting to grips with what a light-year or a parsec is, and visualizing, for example, the size of a solar flare or the distance separating us from the galaxies we'll be learning to photograph.
Of course, here I'm talking about the theory of astronomy, but we're here to practice astronomy! And that's what we're going to do. After understanding and studying the Moon, planets, Sun, galaxies, nebulae and globular clusters, we're going to learn how to observe and photograph them.
Let's start by talking about equipment. When it comes to astronomy, you have to choose sides (in fact, you can be on all sides if your wallet can keep up!). The first camp is whether you want to observe or photograph. So we'll start by talking about observation, the equipment you'll need, the different instruments out there, and the pros and cons of each. Once we've got our bearings, we'll learn how to orientate ourselves in the sky with a map and a compass.
Then we'll tackle astrophotography: the equipment needed, the requirements and the different techniques. A vast subject, but a very interesting one. Finally, we'll learn the practical basics of astrophotography: setting up, focusing, pointing, autoguiding and, of course, processing.
I'll be showing you live a complete astrophotography treatment. This will be a way for you to "desacralize" this step. You will then be given the opportunity to process the photo yourself, following a plan that will guide you. You'll see, it's not that difficult, and I'm convinced you'll be pleasantly surprised.
At the end of the course, there will be a question-and-answer session built up over the course. We'll take stock, and you'll leave with :
