Courses If you have been inspired to look at the night sky by the launch of Major Tim Peake or BBC Stargazing Live series - then take a look at our courses which can help you develop your knowledge and observing skills further. Astronomy Courses for Beginners We offer short courses in basic astronomy for our guests. With over 40 years experience take advantage of the knowledge. Saving yourself frustrating nights trying to sort the planets from the stars or even hundred of pounds by buying a telescope that is right for you. With our beautiful dark skies we can show you how put the ideas and techniques into practice. Courses are run when requested by guests and do not require a minimum number. A Guide to Observing the Night Sky It may seem an easy thing to do, you buy binoculars or a telescope and a star map and outside you go. In reality most beginners are confused trying to match dots on the page to the stars in the sky and even more confused when looking for planets or nebulae through a telescope. The aim of this course is to provide an understanding of how to start observing the night sky by knowing what there is to see and where it is. At the same time we introduce some of the scientific theories behind the objects you are seeing. The course covers: Equipment needed to get started Astronomy Software / Apps Recognising the Constellations Finding the Planets Finding Deep Space Objects Why you cannot see the same detail as telescope images Duration : 3 hours (approx.) Cost - £50 (per person). A Guide to Buying a Telescope With the range of refractor, reflector and catadioptric telescopes available to the beginner seeming to increase each year, it can be difficult to know which one to buy. A wrong choice can lead to frustration and the wasting of hundred of pounds. This course is designed specifically to help the beginner make the right choices and narrow down the list to those telescopes that best suit their needs and budget. The course covers: Types of Telescopes Types of Mounts Types of Finderscopes Types of Eyepieces Calculating Magnification Duration : 3 hours (approx.) Cost - £50 (per person) Setting Up and Using a Telescope If you already own a telescope, but have difficulty in understanding how to use it, this course is for you. The course covers: Explaining all the parts of the telescope Balancing the telescope Polar Alignment (Equatorial Mounts only) Finderscope Alignment How to alignment a reflectors optics includes free collimation check worth £20* Use of Eyepieces Calculating Magnification Correct movement of the mount when locating objects Duration : 2 hours (approx.) Cost - £50 (per person) * Collimation price based on South Down Astronomy website If you are not able to bring your own telescope where possible we will demonstrate using our equipment. A Guide to Astrophotography Imaging the night sky is becoming very popular. This course is an introduction and covers: Camera types needed for taking various images Tripods and motorised mounts Typical camera settings You can even try taking your own images as we have telescopes and cameras that can be used to image the Moon, Planet, stars or nebulae - pretty much anything there is in the night sky. Even if you don’t have any experience we can set everything up for you. Duration : 2 hours (approx.) Cost - £50 (per person). For non residents there is an additional charge of £10 per course above Tour of the Universe Take a guided tour of the heavens. We will tell you the story of how ancient civilizations named the constellations. Using our 16 inch telescope we can take you through the Solar System then venture far back in time as we go into the depths of space. Typically we will be observing the following objects or types of objects: The Planets - Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune Nebulae/Star forming regions Star Clusters Galaxies Double Stars Meteors Moon Satellites & International Space Station passes Comets Aurora Note: Not all objects are visible every night. Duration : 2 hours (approx.) Cost - £7 per hour for use of telescopes Non residents - Please phone for prices. Notes: Please bring warm clothes, coats and hats - it can be cold at night at any time of the year. We intend to add further courses later. If there is a particular aspect of astronomy you would like to learn more about please contact us. Talks In the event of a cloudy night, we can provide a free talk instead. Comments Guests who have taken courses said: “As a beginner I learned more from Mike than £100s on books. His knowledge and ability to teach is superb.  We will certainly recommend to others…” D Henderson, Argyl “Mike gave us a great introduction to the sky and astronomy.” B Knight, Glasgow “Thank you for showing us the stars at night. Everything surpassed our expectations. We are going home much better informed.” D Lindsay, Ayrshire

Courses If you have been inspired to look at the night sky by the launch of Major Tim Peake or BBC Stargazing Live series - then take a look at our courses which can help you develop your knowledge and observing skills further. Astronomy Courses for Beginners We offer short courses in basic astronomy for our guests. With over 40 years experience take advantage of the knowledge. Saving yourself frustrating nights trying to sort the planets from the stars or even hundred of pounds by buying a telescope that is right for you. With our beautiful dark skies we can show you how put the ideas and techniques into practice. Courses are run when requested by guests and do not require a minimum number. A Guide to Observing the Night Sky It may seem an easy thing to do, you buy binoculars or a telescope and a star map and outside you go. In reality most beginners are confused trying to match dots on the page to the stars in the sky and even more confused when looking for planets or nebulae through a telescope. The aim of this course is to provide an understanding of how to start observing the night sky by knowing what there is to see and where it is. At the same time we introduce some of the scientific theories behind the objects you are seeing. The course covers: Equipment needed to get started Astronomy Software / Apps Recognising the Constellations Finding the Planets Finding Deep Space Objects Why you cannot see the same detail as telescope images Duration : 3 hours (approx.) Cost - £50 (per person). A Guide to Buying a Telescope With the range of refractor, reflector and catadioptric telescopes available to the beginner seeming to increase each year, it can be difficult to know which one to buy. A wrong choice can lead to frustration and the wasting of hundred of pounds. This course is designed specifically to help the beginner make the right choices and narrow down the list to those telescopes that best suit their needs and budget. The course covers: Types of Telescopes Types of Mounts Types of Finderscopes Types of Eyepieces Calculating Magnification Duration : 3 hours (approx.) Cost - £50 (per person) Setting Up and Using a Telescope If you already own a telescope, but have difficulty in understanding how to use it, this course is for you. The course covers: Explaining all the parts of the telescope Balancing the telescope Polar Alignment (Equatorial Mounts only) Finderscope Alignment How to alignment a reflectors optics includes free collimation check worth £20* Use of Eyepieces Calculating Magnification Correct movement of the mount when locating objects Duration : 2 hours (approx.) Cost - £50 (per person) * Collimation price based on South Down Astronomy website If you are not able to bring your own telescope where possible we will demonstrate using our equipment. A Guide to Astrophotography Imaging the night sky is becoming very popular. This course is an introduction and covers: Camera types needed for taking various images Tripods and motorised mounts Typical camera settings You can even try taking your own images as we have telescopes and cameras that can be used to image the Moon, Planet, stars or nebulae - pretty much anything there is in the night sky. Even if you don’t have any experience we can set everything up for you. Duration : 2 hours (approx.) Cost - £50 (per person). For non residents there is an additional charge of £10 per course above Tour of the Universe - Free Take a guided tour of the heavens. We will tell you the story of how ancient civilizations named the constellations. Using our 16 inch telescope we can take you through the Solar System then venture far back in time as we go into the depths of space. Typically we will be observing the following objects or types of objects: The Planets - Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune Nebulae/Star forming regions Star Clusters Galaxies Double Stars Meteors Moon Satellites & International Space Station passes Comets Aurora Note: Not all objects are visible every night. Duration : 2 hours (approx.) Cost - £9 per hour for use of telescopes Non residents - Please phone for prices. Notes: Please bring warm clothes, coats and hats - it can be cold at night at any time of the year. We intend to add further courses later. If there is a particular aspect of astronomy you would like to learn more about please contact us. Talks In the event of a cloudy night, we can provide a free talk instead. Comments Guests who have taken courses said: “As a beginner I learned more from Mike than £100s on books. His knowledge and ability to teach is superb.  We will certainly recommend to others…” D Henderson, Argyl “Mike gave us a great introduction to the sky and astronomy.” B Knight, Glasgow “Thank you for showing us the stars at night. Everything surpassed our expectations. We are going home much better informed.” D Lindsay, Ayrshire