Introduction to Astronomy

John Sheff

Instructor bio [+]

John Sheff has explored some remote parts of our planet on adventure travel journeys and mountaineering expeditions. His lifelong background as an amateur astronomer and space buff has him just as excited about the exploration of other planets. He enjoys participating in star parties, particularly inner-city ones, organized by his local club - the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston (ATMoB). He loves to share views of the sky through the observatory telescope he operates during Public Nights at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, andserves as a NASA Solar System Ambassador. Lately, he's been teaching astronomy after-hours to 2nd-6th grade students in Cambridge schools. When on Earth, he lives in Cambridge, MA.
Web Site: www.jsheff.com


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"We're all star-stuff", Carl Sagan once famously said. Come join us to share in the wonder of learning about the Universe and our place in it. It's been known since the time of Copernicus that the Earth is not the center of the Universe, but is it even unique? What, in fact, is a planet (and is Pluto one)? What are the latest space missions telling us about the Solar System? Expanding our scale, we'll explore the life cycles of stars, and their organization into star clusters, galaxies, and larger structures. What is science teaching us about the origin and future of the Universe? Can astronomy tell us at last whether we're alone in the Universe? In the interests of making the sky more accessible to all, one of the class sessions will be held at a local observatory; there we will be able to use a large telescope to enjoy views of Mars, Saturn, the Orion Nebula, the Pleiades, and other sights of the sparkling winter sky. No math or science background required! Limited to 16.
Sec. 01: 6 Tuesdays, 8:00-9:00 pm. Begins Feb. 9, 42 Brattle St. | $122
SKYS–01
$122.00
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