Enjoy the night sky with classes at MCC

Submitted by MCC

Observe the night sky using a telescope and learn about the celestial shapes created by bright stars or locate planets and distant galaxies with two separate classes offered by McHenry County College’s Continuing Education Department.

These classes are accepting registration.

How to Use a Telescope: Beginner amateur astronomers who wish to learn how to choose a telescope and how to use it will have a hands-on opportunity to locate various objects in the sky, from the moon and planets, to deep sky objects and distant galaxies. Dust off that old or new telescope, and learn how to easily locate stars or planets you have always wanted to see. This is a hands-on course, where students will learn the basic concepts in the classroom, and then apply those concepts outdoors, underneath the stars. Bringing your own telescope is encouraged. The class takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, April 18-May 9, in Room E100. Cost is $79. Use course ID NSP S43 004.

Seasonal Constellations and Stars: Hear the legends and mythology that surrounds various celestial figures and shapes created by bright stars and the imaginations of people long ago. This class is designed for those who have not taken astronomy before, or those who just want to better identify and understand the constellations. This class includes storytelling, lecture, and observation outside with telescopes, weather permitting. The class takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays, June 7-28, in Room A241. Cost is $79. Course ID NSP S38 006.