ASTRONOMICAL IMAGING COURSE (Winter 2011/12)

UPDATE:  Introduction Workshop will be scheduled when enough participants sign up

I will be holding Workshops for those that wish to learn Astronomical Imaging.   The course will be held over a number of evenings and will take the participants from basics in astronomy step by step to the process of capturing and processing images of astronomical objects.  Included in the Course will be sessions in the observatory to obtain hands on experience with the equipment.  At the end of the course, you will also have an entire night in the observatory to your self (or with your partner) to put your new found skills to work and create your own work or works of art, or undertake your own scientific research.  Each of the students images will then be considered for inclusion in the annual Calendar or upcoming  Images from Thunder Bay Observatory book.

 If your Interested in signing up for one of the limited spots, contact me at Astrorandy (at) tbaytel.net

COURSE WILL COVER THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:

• Astronomical Coordinate Systems

• Introduction to Telescope

• Overview to Astronomical Objects

• Overview of planning your imaging session

• Introduction to Observatory Operations

• Details on operating related imaging equipment (filters, focuser, guiding..etc)

• Detailed explainations of CCD technology

• Detailed explaination of the CCD imaging process

• Using Software for controlling equipment (Autostar, Maxim DL, Starry Night, Carte de Ceil)

• Details on capturing images using the equipment

• Details on processing your images after

HANDS ON PORTIONS OF THE COURSE WILL INCLUDE:

• Observatory startup and shutdown procedures

• Observatory operations

• Planning your imaging session

• Finding, centering and tracking objects

• Reaching optimal focus

• Manual vrs automated imaging

• Capturing Images

• Processing Images

INTRODUCTORY COST: $150 (only $25 more if you want to bring a partner)
Students are asked to bring a Laptop to continue learning between sessions, however, Computers will be provided for those that do not have a laptop.

Scheduling will be determined later to accomodate all the students.  Options include one evening a week for about 6 weeks, 3 Sundays or a compressed weekend Saturday and Sunday 8 hours each

HOW TO BOOK OBSERVATORY:

If you are interested in booking the Observatory for a group, please email the following to Astrorandy(at)tbaytel.net.  NOTE: Many voice messages have been automatically deleted by the system before I was able to retrieve them, sorry for the inconvience.

Primary Contact: Email, Phone Number
NAME OF GROUP:  (School, Guides, Scouts..etc)
SIZE OF GROUP:
AVERAGE AGE / AGE RANGE:

Type of Tour:  1) Slide show, Lecture & Observatory Tour 2) Telescope Only Tour 3) Snack, Slide Show and Tour

Preferred Date:  (I always suggest dates around the first 1/4 moon are best)
Alternative Date: (In case cloudy, or will you proceed with Tour and slide show..etc)

Forward the information to ASTRORANDY (at) tbaytel.net

Thank you

Randy

Latest Image From Observatory
M31 - Andromeda Galaxy

Over the last year I have been concentrating my efforts at the observatory on introduction and operation of a number of technologies in preparation for the Lakehead University's Physic's Operational Astronomy class. 

Now that the first pilot semester is successfully coming to a close, I plan to re-instate the TBOB NEWS LETTER.  If your interested in getting this publication...please send me an email with your email address.   Also you can create a member login account on this website and you will automatically be added to the distribution.   Your name can be removed at any time...and there is no fear that you will be spam'd  :)

Newsletters usually contain

• Dates of Public Viewing Nights 
• Updates on technology
• Changes at the observatory
• Things to watch for locally in the sky
• Other astronomy activities.

 Clear Skies...

Randy

SOCIAL THEME EVENINGS

Starting this Fall Thunder Bay Observatory will be hosting regular small group social evenings. (10-16 people)  Perfect for the individual looking to meet others with similar interest, or for couples or small groups looking for a different experience.   The Evening will include  cocktails and a variety of appetizers, a informative and visual introduction into astronomy with a focus on a particular subject, and then a hands on tour of the universe through the telescope.  So far themes on the list include:

• Life out there...UFO's, Extra Solar Planets, Seti..etc
• Astronomical Research...whats the scientific community up to?
• Space Travel . History and Future of
• Big Bang to Black Holes ...the violence in our universe
• The Scale of things!

If your interested in signing up for a Theme Night...let me know.