The Joburg centre of the Astronomy Society of SA is offering an introductory course in astronomy titled: Theoretical Astronomy – the ideas behind the observations by Gil Jacobs.
The course will be four or five one-hour sessions held on Wednesday evenings starting Wednesday 20 February 2008;
The lectures are largely self contained, theoretical and on a very elementary level, assuming no prior knowledge.
Venue: Auditorium at the Johannesburg Observatory, 18a Gill St, Observatory.
Time: 6.30 pm
Cost:
ASSA Johannesburg members: R50 for the course or R20 per lecture
Non-ASSA Johannesburg members: R150 for the course, or R50 per lecture
To book, mail: lerika{at}icon.co.za
The Course will include:-
* The geometry of the Celestial Sphere
* How to make and use a planisphere.
* Altitude and azimuth, almucantars, the astrolabe.
* Sidereal time, Solar time, Dynamical time, the equation of time.
* Celestial co-ordinates: Hour angle, right ascension, declination, the astronomical triangle.
* Planetary motions: Direct & retrograde motions, stationary points, synodic periods, Kepler's laws
* Atmospherical refraction
* Parallax
* Aberration
* The Gyroscope - Precession
* The motion of the Moon, Nutation
* How a telescope works, telescope mountings and setting circles, the orientation of telescopic images
* How to use the Astronomical Almanac
