Southwestern to host free telescope class

Southwestern Oregon Community College is offering a free workshop on how to use a telescope at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22, in Eden Hall on the Coos Bay campus.

Instructor Dan Neal will go over methods to get the most out of participants’ telescopes whether they are Newtonian, Refractor, Reflector, Schmidt Cassegrain, manual or computer driven. The course will cover proper assembly, as well as using telescope features and discussing available accessories. Once the basics are covered, Neal will discuss using sky charts to locate planets, nebulae, galaxies and other deep space objects.

If conditions are conducive, Neal will take the group onto the soccer field for a short star party and show beginners how to learn the night sky. No experience is necessary to attend the workshop and people who do not have telescopes are encouraged to attend. Children younger than 12 years must be under adult supervision.

Press Release Date: January 17, 2008