Astronomy Courses Offered Locally by the Southern Vermont Astronomy Group

SoVerA, The Southern Vermont Astronomy Group, Inc. (www.sovera.org), a professional-amateur, not-for-profit astronomy research and outreach organization based in Chester, Vermont, is debuting its fall season astronomy courses for 2013. Magic Mountain, Inc., the ski resort property at Glebe Mountain in Londonderry, will be the venue for the courses.

SoVerA has been developing a long term plan to create an astronomy science center in Southern Vermont and is commencing with a series of short courses and one-off seminars for continuing education, general audiences to be held throughout November and early December.

Students from the classes will, on specific evenings, be able to observe through the organizations' variety of portable optical telescopes with the ability to photograph celestial objects with their own cameras. These early evening sessions will be scheduled on a two to three day notice announced in class, based on weather and sky conditions.

SoVerA instructors have been teaching astronomy and conducting observing seminars since their start in 2006. The organization has grown from a founding group of three to a membership that now numbers over a hundred, including professional members from Columbia University, Dartmouth College and a former telescope manager at the Mauna Kea Observatories. Professionals regularly give talks for the general public to understand the work they are doing, and experienced observers teach the less experienced members in observing techniques.

The Courses at Southern Vermont Observatory (SOVO), this semester are as described below. The registration deadline is October 25, 2013.

Introduction to Observing - Instructor: Dr. Robert (Bob) Dudley
Schedule: 3 sessions of about 2 hrs at Magic Mtn., Sat. 1pm-approx 3pm, Nov. 9, 16, & 23

Description: This series is designed to give novices the tools required to observe objects in the night sky. The course consists of three components: 1. Observing with the naked eye, 2. Observing with binoculars, and 3. Observing with a telescope.

Astronomy Foundations - Instructor: Claudio Veliz
Schedule: 5 sessions of 2 hrs at Magic Mtn., Sat. 10am-noon, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, & Dec. 7

Description: The class will be informal yet substantive with hands-on activity and content. It is an introductory level course intended for the astronomically curious. All adults between the ages of 8 and 123 (oldest known living person) are very welcome, regardless of their science or technical background. Sessions: 1. The Universe: Getting Our Minds Around It All, 2. In the Starring Role (the structure and behavior of stars), 3. Planets and Leftovers (asteroids, comets, etc.), 4. Life (in the universe), and, 5. Playing Scientist: Go Measure the Universe Yourself - (how to observe and measure things in the night sky).

Evening Seminar on the Planets - Instructor: John Carlson
Schedule: 2 sessions of 2 hrs + observing time at Magic Mtn., Thurs. 6pm-8pm + observing time, Nov. 7 & 14

Description: This presentation will start with the perceptions of planets (wandering stars) held by civilizations before the invention of the telescope. It will continue to our present knowledge of our planets and their moons which have been aided by telescopic observations as well as numerous satellite missions to visit them close up. Major scientific discoveries, which the motions of the planets have led to, will also be discussed. Weather permitting, observation of the planet Venus will also take place.

Planning Your Observing Session - Instructor: Pat Porch
Schedule: 1 session of 2 hrs at Magic Mtn., Sat. 1pm-3pm, Nov. 2

Description: An observing session is more enjoyable and fulfilling with a little planning. In addition to printed star charts and atlases, there are numerous websites and computer programs that can help you plan an observing session, or can help you identify that unknown object you saw. This class will provide an overview of some of the popular online resources, and then actually use these resources to plan an observing session. We will also show how online resources can satisfy those astro urges on those cloudy nights.

Introduction to Archeoastronomy - Instructor: Rick Bates
Schedule: 1 session of 2 hrs + observing time at Magic Mtn., Sat. 1pm-3pm + observing time, Dec. 7

Description: We will consider the Usual Suspects: Aristotle, Ptolemy and Copernicus, and may venture so far as to glance at Galileo, Brahe and Newton. However, we will also consider the work of people and cultures not always associated with classical astronomy -- the Chinese, the ancient Babylonians and Hebrews, the Hindus, the Arabs, the Polynesians and the Native Americans of North and Central America. We will undoubtedly think a bit about the Celts and their enigmatic contributions to early science. A good time will be had by all.

SoVerA is a 501(c)(3) organization intent on making astronomy science continuing education available and affordable to everyone. Members have spoken at numerous area schools, colleges and other regional venues. For more information, course descriptions and registration, visit the SoVerA's web site at www.sovera.org.