Courses & Workshops

L E C T U R E S , C O U R S E S & E V E N T S

― COURSES & WORKSHOPS ―

2008 - 2009

The following are non-credit public courses and workshops coming up during 2008-2009.
To learn more about each, scroll down or click on these links.

Or to arrange a custom class for your own group, contact Dennis directly

Chronological Schedule: (details below)

*Wednesday,* *Nov. 19, 2008:*	*INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY 5/6*
*Saturday,* *Nov. 22, 2008:*	*DESERT STARGAZING FOR BEGINNERS*
*Wednesday,* *Nov. 26, 2008:*	*INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY 6/6*

*Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008***:	*PHOTO CONTEST WORKSHOP (TBA)*

*Saturday,* *Jan. 17, 2009:*	*DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY*
*Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009***	*FAMILY ASTRONOMY*
*Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009:***	*DESERT SKY PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BEGINNERS*

*Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009:***	*DESERT STARGAZING FOR BEGINNERS*

*Saturday, Apr. 4, 2009:*	*NIGHT SKY PHOTOGRAPHY*

IntroductionToAstronomy

INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY

College of Borrego, Borrego Springs, California

Fall Semester:   Wednesdays, October 22 - November 26, 2008
                              5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

	Beyond the night sky we see lies a remarkable universe of planets, stars, galaxies and, perhaps, other life forms peering back at us. More than just finding our way around the heavens, students will, peer more deeply into the science of astronomy, learn what we see and why it’s important to our understanding of the cosmos and ourselves, and how it’s all related to the desert sky above us. No background in science or math is required... just a curiosity about the unknown.

	WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22: Introduction to the Universe Our first session will introduce students to the stars and constellations of the Borrego night sky, and will look more deeply at the science of astronomy--the mystifying lingo, the mind-boggling distances and times, and how astronomy has helped us comprehend the universe and our place in it.

	WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29: How We Know Tonight we’ll explore how we know what we know. We’ll examine the tools of astronomers--from massive telescopes to robotic spacecraft--that help us probe the mysteries of the cosmos, and we’ll learn why the Desert Southwest is such a world capital of modern astronomical research.

	WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 05: Our Cosmic Family Our third session will look at the planetary family in which we reside: the sun, moon, planets, asteroids, comets and more, and we’ll explore those transient phenomena that occasionally grace our skies such as meteors, meteor shower and eclipses.

	WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12: The Universe Beyond Tonight we’ll explore the galaxy of planets, stars, star clusters and interstellar nebulae that make up the structure we know as the Milky Way, and will peer beyond to study the composition and structure of the entire universe.

	WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19: Celestial Safari Tonight we’ll aim a telescope skyward to ride beams of ancient light across the universe. We’ll explore such marvels as worlds of our solar system, distant stars, star clusters and galaxies. If weather prohibits observing tonight we’ll switch with next week’s class.

	WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26: Cosmic Mysteries The final session will explore some of the most profound questions of modern astronomy: Where did we come from? Are we alone in the universe? How did the universe originate... and where might it be going? And others as time permits.
*Advanced registration is required.* For more information or to register, call the College of Borrego at 760.767.4525

DigitalPhotography

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BEGINNERS

College of Borrego
Borrego Springs, CA

Spring Semester: Saturday, January 17, 2009
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

So you have a digital camera but your photos are less than stunning? In this half-day hands-on class, you'll take a tour of your camera's features and learn all you thought you didn't need to know—how digital cameras work, using a histogram, white balance, shooting modes, post-processing tips and more.

Students should have read their camera's operating manual and have general familiarity with its operation, and should bring their camera and manual to class. 7.767.4525

Advanced registration is strongly advised. For more information or to register, please call 760.767.4525

DesertSkyPhotography

	DESERT SKY PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BEGINNERS Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center Borrego Springs, California *Spring Semester: Saturday, January 31, 2009*
	If you enjoy photography and are fascinated by the dramatic desert sky, this full-day workshop is for you! Learn to shoot the sky, create time-lapse and moonlight shots, and more. In the evening (weather permitting, of course), you’ll try your hand at night sky photography from a beautiful moonlit desert location.
*Advanced registration is required.* For more information or to register, call 760.767.4063 or visit the Anza-Borrego Institute.

FamilyAstronomy

FAMILY ASTRONOMY ABDNHA Borrego Springs, CA Spring Semester: Saturday, January 24, 2009 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Join Dennis Mammana for a fun morning of learning about the sky. Meet the constellations, hear some of the stories that ancients told about them, and discover how to use a star map to find your way around the night sky.

Advanced registration is strongly advised. For more information or to register, please call 760.767.3052 or visit ABDNHA

DesertStargazing

	DESERT STARGAZING FOR BEGINNERS Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center Borrego Springs, California Fall Semester: Saturday, November 22, 2008 11:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. *Spring Semester: Saturday, February 28, 2009*
	Sights that boggle the mind are visible in the clear, dark desert skies each evening. This full-day workshop is designed for beginning stargazers interested in exploring the enjoyable and mind-expanding hobby of amateur astronomy. After a dinner break (several restaurants are nearby), you'll return to the Visitor Center to practice finding your way around the night sky and to view some of its wonders through a large telescope.
*Advanced registration is required.* For more information or to register, call 760.767.4063 or visit the Anza-Borrego Institute.

NightSkyPhotography

	NIGHT SKY PHOTOGRAPHY Oasis Visitor Center Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park Twentynine Palms, California Spring Semester: Saturday, April 4, 2009; 12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m.
	Learn to use your camera to create stunning celestial portraits, and practice shooting a variety of sky phenomena (weather permitting). Students should bring a camera—digital or film—that can be adjusted manually and can take time exposures, a tripod, a remote control or cable release, their camera user manual, a flashlight covered with red cellophane, lunch and dinner. Please have a good working knowledge of your equipment.
*Advanced registration is required.* For more information or to register, call 760.367.5535 or visit The Desert Institute.