Do you need HELP using your telescope?
Do you want to know more about Astrophotography or understanding
celestial co-ordinates?

Find out about all this and much more with a course
for the beginner in astronomy at your
local planetarium in Chichester

  • Now you can gain the knowledge to confidently find you way around the night sky and handle a telescope like a seasoned professional.
  • Discover how to set up and use an astronomical telescope quickly and easily and get yourself familiar with the stars and planets and how to find them.
N
inian Boyle who runs the astronomical equipment business Venturescope is running an evening class at the South Downs Planetarium, Chichester designed just for you, the novice astronomer.

T
he aim of the course is to make astronomy with a small telescope much more enjoyable and accessible for those who are just starting out in this fascinating subject. With the amazing facilities of the Planetarium 'star- theatre' and other 'high-tec' equipment you will quickly find that the night-sky is no longer a confusing place and your telescope is a powerful tool that can show you some of the most wonderful sights in nature.

Ninian has been studying the night sky for many years is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society having been nominated by no less than Sir Patrick Moore!

The Planetarium can offer you..

T
he new South Downs Planetarium is one of the largest of its kind in the UK and utilises a fine Minolta star projector to show you a realistic night sky scene that can be altered to give a view from any point on the Earth and at any given time. Coupled to this are a series of slide and multi-media projectors to produce special effects and close up images of nebulae, galaxies and a whole host of other celestial objects for you to wonder at! The Planetarium also offers an 'IT' Suite that includes high-speed Internet access and much astronomical software. Also, contained in the building is a well-stocked library containing a projection screen where some of the course will be presented.

Have a trip to a real working observatory

24 inch telescope at Hamshire Astonomical Group Observatory I
ncluded in the course will be a trip to the Hampshire Astronomical Group's Clanfield Observatory. This is one of the best-equipped amateur astronomical observatories in the country, boasting a large 24-inch reflector, also a 16 and a 12-inch reflector and a fine 5-inch refracting telescope. Observations using one of these telescopes will take place - weather permitting.

Gain a real understanding of your telescope

T
elescopes can be confusing; focal length, field of view and magnification all have a bearing on what you can see, so how do you know what is best for any given situation? The course will explain all these various features of a telescope and how to use them to your best advantage.

Class members studying telescope set up. Night sky slightly enhanced.You will be able to work out the magnification and the field of view you are using quickly and easily and what you can expect to see. Explanations and demonstrations will be given using astronomical telescopes of the type most amateurs have or are thinking of purchasing.



W
ant to know the differences between a reflector and refractor or exactly what is a Schmidt-Cassegrain? Then we'll tell you in terms that won't leave you wondering why you bothered to ask! If you ever wondered about how big a telescope needs to be, then you'll get an explanation about telescope aperture and light-gathering power and what bearing they have on what you can ultimately see.

Learn your way around the night-sky even if it's cloudy

T
he beauty of a Planetarium is that if the weather isn't favourable, you can still see the stars just like you would if you were standing outside on a perfect night.

What better way to learn the constellations without getting cold!


T
he course is designed to teach you as much about basic astronomy as it is about telescopes. These are often treated as different subjects, but they necessarily go hand in hand for the practical astronomer. Using the star projector and some multi-media images we will show you how with a few simple 'tricks' you can find your way around the constellations with relative ease.
  • Learn how to quickly locate the naked-eye planets and learn some 'rule of thumb' measurements to work out where objects should be to find with your telescope.
  • Find out how to set up an astronomical telescope and 'polar align' it.
  • Understand the motions of the heavens and how we measure time and distance.
  • Get an introduction to astrophotography and CCD imaging in 'layman's' terms.
  • Interested in solar observing? Then you'll enjoy the lesson on how to do it safely including what equipment you'll need and what you can expect to see.
  • Learn how to read a star chart - including celestial co-ordinates

In no time you will be cruising around the sky, impressing you friends and family with your expertise.


Take a look at these comments from
some of my past students....

The course has been most useful in setting up and getting started on the use of a new telescope. It has also given a most helpful introduction to the basics of astronomical observation. Presentations have been very professional and overall the course has been interesting and very enjoyable, given in a relaxed manner.
Ian Young Rowlands Castle


I thoroughly enjoyed the course and its content pitched at the right level for an enthusiastic beginner and keen to progress with this new interest in retiring years.
Tony Dent Milford-on-Sea


The major thing I have gained from this course is the confidence I was lacking - I understand enough now to know what I don't know and how to find out! Many thanks for your patience
Wendy Springett - Portsmouth


"...ideal for getting a feel for different aspects of astronomy."
Judith Ogborne. Chichester

"Setting up telescope and celestial co-ordinates was most informative."
Chris Mason. Southampton

"All the lessons were informative."
Brenda Elwin. Chichester

"Very very enjoyable and valuable."
Doug Genders. Billingshurst



* * * STAR PUPIL * * *

Ann did my course in 2003 and went from strength to strength. She tells me that my course gave her the background and the confidence to carry on and expand her new found skills.

Back in 2006 she spent some weeks in Namibia showing people the night skies.

Since returning Ann has started lecturing to school groups at the South Downs Planetarium.


A class in the Star Theatre at the Chichester Planetarium

So, if you have got a telescope or are thinking of getting one, then this is for you. All you need to do is show up and I'll do the rest!

Where and When