A survey of the basics of astronomy.ˆà Introduces celestial events that the ancients knew well and reviews their modern explanations.ˆà Themes include the motions of the Earth and the Moon, constellations, objects in the Solar System, the seasons, stars, and galaxies, and key historical figures in western astronomy.
Wednesday, Sept 30 òÀÓ Earth, Stars, and Constellations: hierarchy of objects beyond Earth, Powers of Ten video, rotation of the Earth, the North Star, constellations and asterisms
Wednesday, Oct 14 òÀÓ The Planets: the five ancient òÀÜwanderersòÀÝ, major and minor planets, the òÀÜdemotionòÀÝ of Pluto, retrograde motion, the Ecliptic, the Zodiac, nebular hypothesis
Wednesday, Oct 21 òÀÓ The Moon: phases of the Moon, eclipses, tides, elliptical orbits, why one side of the Moon always faces Earth
Wednesday,ˆà Oct 28 òÀÓ The Solar System: measurements of astronomical distances, reason for the seasons, inventory of the Solar System, asteroids, meteors, comets,ˆà comparative sizes
Wednesday, Nov 11 òÀÓ Stars and Galaxies: atomic fusion, star sizes & classes, the H-R diagram, the Milky Way, nebulae, other galaxies
Wednesday, Nov 18 òÀÓ Historical Figures in Astronomy: geocentric model vs heliocentric model, Brahe, Kepler and the laws of planetary motion, GalileoòÀÙs five major discoveries
Time:ˆà classes start at 6:30 PM and go until 8:30 PM.
Location: all classes are held at Cicatelli Center, 505 8th Ave, at 35th St. in Manhattan, 20th Floor.
Instructor: David Kiefer
David Kiefer holds various Masters degrees, including a M.S. in astronomy from the Center for Astrophysics and Supercomputing in Melbourne, Australia.ˆà He has taught physics and astronomy at colleges in New York and New Jersey,ˆà and is presently a lecturer at City College and at the Borough of Manhattan Community College in New York.ˆà A member of the AAA, Mr. Kiefer observes regularly at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn.
Registration:ˆà Class is full. Registration closed.
Registration Fee: $60, members only. If you are not an AAA member yet, please become a member first.