Nature Workshop: Astronomy

Our Nature Workshops cater to adult learners, providing an engaging and hands-on approach to exploring the wonders of the natural world in the beautiful setting of the Rocky Mountains.

Nature Workshop: Astronomy
Participants will learn about the history of astronomy, how to observe the sky, planets, stars and constellations. There will be a hands-on session for telescope basics and three observing sessions.

Workshop Times:
Saturday, Sept. 27: 10am-12pm,  1pm-4:30pm,  7:30pm-9pm evening observing weather permitting
Sunday, Sept. 28: 10am- 12pm,  1:30pm-4pm, 7:30pm-9pm weather permitting
Monday, Sept. 29: 10am-12pm,  2pm-3:30pm
Each day the participants are on their own for the lunch breaks.

Workshop registration is $195. Registration includes small group instruction and transportation (if applicable). Lodging and meals are not included. After registration you will receive an email two weeks prior to the workshop with a syllabus and supplies/items needed.
Book your lodging separately here!

About the Instructors:
Dr. Robert Potter obtained his BS. MS, and PhD in physics at the University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana. He spent his career as an industrial physicist, working for Rockwell Collins, Honeywell and Knowles Electronics. After his retirement from industry, Robert taught astronomy and physics as an associate professor of physics at North Central College, in Naperville, Illinois, for six years. Throughout his industrial career, he also taught astronomy and physics as adjunct faculty at Coe College, Bowling
Green State University and the University of Maryland. For the past five summers, Robert has volunteered at YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, helping with the Family Astronomy program. In addition to the nighttime sessions at the Y, he gives talks on iPhone astrophotography, satellite GPS, and meteors and meteor showers.

Jim Gallt earned his BS and MS, and completed coursework for his PhD, in civil engineering at the University of Kentucky. He enjoyed a 37-year career as a practicing structural engineer and engineering executive. After retiring in 2015, Jim spent two years as an adjunct instructor at University of Kentucky, teaching graduate courses in structural engineering. Jim’s interest in
astronomy began in the early 1990’s when he designed and built a Dobsonian telescope, which included precisely grinding the parabolic mirror and constructing the wood telescope tube and mount. In 2016, Jim was instrumental in re-establishing a top-quality summer Family Astronomy
program for the guests of the YMCA of the Rockies. Jim continues to volunteer for the YMCA summer astronomy program, and serves on the board of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society in Wisconsin. His main astronomy interests are EAA (electronically assisted astronomy) and
leading visual night sky observing group sessions.