Practical Astronomy for Beginners
Warrumbungle Mountain Motel
Timor Rd Coonabarabran
22- 24 October 2010
Phone Peter Starr at Warrumbungle Observatory, 0488 425 112
email: starr_peter@hotmail.com
Return to Menu
Do you own a telescope that is gathering dust in the shed?
Not sure how to set up your telescope?
Considering purchasing a telescope but not sure what to buy?
Want to learn how find planets nebulae and galaxies and navigate around the sky?
Want to learn some basic astronomy?
Or just want to Observe the dark Skies over Coonabarabran.
This is the course for you!
Warrumbungle Observatory in conjunction with the Warrumbungle Mountain Motel is conducting a telescope workshop  over 2 days and evenings in conjunction with the Coonabarabran Festival of the Stars.

Bring your own telescope and SLR Camera, or use ours.
Visit Siding Spring Open Day and have a close up look at Australia's largest optical telescopes and meet astronomers.
The course is hosted by Peter Starr, owner of Warrumbungle Observatory and former Manager of Siding Spring Observatory.

The course is desined for the novice but those with more experience are welcome to share their experiences and have a great time observing the dark skies of Coonabarabran.

Cost of course is $250 and includes course notes, and meals outlined in the program below.


Cabin style accomodation is provided at The Warrumbungle Mountain Motel at a discount rate.
Single  $tba per night
Double $tba per night
3 Share
4 Share
WORKSHOP PROGRAM
Day 1
5:30
Arrive and Registration  (Mountain Motel)


6:30pm
Festival of the Stars Event
- Science in the Pub, Royal Hotel, John St Coonabarabran. Two astronomers debate a hot topic in astronomy over a beer or two or three. Plenty of audience participation nd prizes.
Entry Approx $5
Dinner Available at the Pub $18


Late:
Night Sky Viewing through telescopes provided or bring your own at Warrumbungle Observatory.

Day 2
8am
Breakfast Served (Mountain Motel)

9am
Lectures:
Telescopes (Mountain Motel)
Types & Designs
Mounts
Aligning Telescopes

10:30am
Morning Tea Served (Mountain Motel)

11am
Lecture
Telescopes Continued (Mountain Motel)
Tracking
Accessories
Purchasing a telescope

12:30 pm
Lunch Served (Mountain Motel)

1:15pm
Solar Observing (Warrumbungle Observatory)

2pm
Lecture
Basic Astronomy & Navigation (Mointain Motel)
Our place in the universe
Celestial coordinates and find your way around the night sky
Magnitudes & astronomical distances
Motions of the planets
Astrophotography

3:30pm
Afternoon Tea served (Mountain Motel)

4:45pm
Workshop (Warrumbungle Observatory)
Setting up your own telescope

6:30pm
Dinner served and a talk by an astronomer.
Speaker TBA


Late: Night observing and astrophotography till late at Warrumbungle Observatory

Day 3

8am
Breakfast served (Mountain Motel)

9am
Lectures: (Mountain Motel)
The Big Bang
Life & Death of Stars


12:30pm - 4pm
Festival of the Stars Event: Siding Spring Observatory Open Day

7pm
Festival of the Stars Event: Bart Bok Lecture -  Coonabarabran Public School, Speaker, TBA.