Apprentice Core Lessons in Astronomy

Define the following terms in your journal:

Angular Size and Distance-
Aperture-
Asterism-
Asteroid-
Astronomical Unit-
Black Hole-
Blue Moon-
Celestial Coordinates-
Circumpolar-
Collimation-
Comet-
Compound Telescope-
Conjunction-
Constellation-
Culmination-
Dark Adaptation-
Declination-
Double Binary Star-
Earthshine-
Eccentricity-
Eclipse-
Ecliptic-
Elongation-
Ephemeris
Equinox-
Eyepiece-
Field of View-
Finderscope-
Galaxy-
Gibbous-
Inclination-
Light Pollution-
Light Year
Magnification-
Magnitude-
Meridian-
Messier Object-
Meteor-
Milky Way-
Nebula-
Occultation-
Opposition-
Paralax-
Planisphere-
Reflector-
Refractor-
Retrograde-
Right Ascension-
Satellite-
Solstice-
Star-
Star Cluster-
Star Diagonal-
Star Party-
Sun Spot-
Supernova-
Transit-
Transparency-
Twilight-
Variable Star-
Waning-
Waxing-
Zenith-
Zodiac-

Astronomy begins with the night time sky. Naturally, in our guild we will begin there too. Get outside one evening or early one morning and observe. What do you see? What constellations are overhead? Are there any planets along the ecliptic? Can you identify any Messier Objects? Make a sketch of what you see and share what you have observed in a journal entry. Include any sketches you make.

Do some research on the Terrestrial Planets. What are they? How did they form? Share some information on each one in your journal to include distinguishing characteristics and major satellites.

Do some research on the Jovian Planets. What are they? How did they form? Share some information on each one in your journal to include distinguishing characteristics and major satellites.

Do some research on stars. What are they made of and how do they work. What are some of the life cycles they have and what determines the fate of each? What will be the fate of the sun? What are the largest stars observed and how do they compare our sun? Share your results in your journal

Do some research on Galaxies and Exotic Space Objects. What are galaxies and how many are in the observable universe? What strange objects are included in the makeup of the universe? What is the strangest known object that has been observed? Share your response in your journal.

Congratulations! You have come to the end of your Apprentice Lessons. Touch base with your mentor and wait for their approval to move on before starting the Journeyman Lessons on Cosmology.