Astronomy - the Sun and Beyond

Service Description

This five week course will take Thinkers on a journey of discovery around our cosmos. Topics to be covered are: * Exoplanets. These are planet that orbit other stars. We look at the current technology and techniques for discovering Exoplanets. What are the most exciting one’s yet discovered. The likelihood (or not) of finding life on them. The future prospects. * Near Earth Asteroids. Near Earth Asteroids (NEA’s) present us with an existential threat to our survival on Earth. There are literally tens of thousands of NEA’s that are known with more than 2,000 classified as ‘Potentially Hazardous’. It is thought that many more are yet unknown. We look at what the ranges of size and proximity there are as well as methods of detection and threat mitigation. * Astronomical Observations and Instruments. We look at the different kinds of Astronomical instruments such as telescopes and Binoculars, and how they work. Also, what tools the amateur astronomer can use such as star maps and computer software to help them plan observations. We also look at what different kinds of observations are made by both professional and Amateur astronomers, for example, astronomy in different wavelengths and also how amateurs can now do real scientific observing that only decades ago were the realm of the professional. * The Sun. This is our nearest star and is critical to life on Earth. Not only that it’s a star that we can study in incredible detail, therefore telling us about processes within other stars. We look at what powers the Sun, its origins, it’s demise and also how you can observe it safely for yourself. Supermassive * Black Holes. It is believed that there lies a Supermassive Black Hole at the heart of nearly every Galaxy. There is certainly one at the centre of our own Galaxy. We look at what these behemoths are, how they may have formed, how they can grow and how we discovered them. Led by Astronomer Paul, these sessions will be packed with information and open for discussion and questions.