Astronomy - Running an Astronomy Club for learning in a fun context

About This Page

This page contains information and ideas that might be useful for anyone thinking of running an astronomy club.

It was originally developed for a school astronomy club called 'The Dark Side' which ran until I retired from full-time teaching. The primary focus of the club was astronomy, but there was a secondary interest in Star Wars.

When running a club, it can be worthwhile having a website. This might be part of a school site or a dedicated site. The material on this page and the linked pages can be used as a starting point and modified as needed. Everything here is creative commons, so can be used freely (though an acknowledgment and link to M1Astronomy.com would be appreciated).

Some of the sections contain notes (in the same white-on-blue format as this box) suggesting how the organiser might modify that section for their club. Obviously, these should be deleted, along with this box, from the finished website.

If not having a website, the ideas contained here may still be useful: sections like the sets of quiz questions can be printed and PowerPoints can be downloaded and shown. Also, club members could access the M1 Astronomy home page in order to be able to view the PowerPoints, Tidbits, Glossary etc.

Home

Introduction

The Dark Side Astronomy is a club for anyone interested in astronomy. We also have a side interest in Star Wars.

Note for the website developer

This section can be modified by replacing this notes box with information on when and where the club meets, who it is open to, who runs it, any costs and any other information like if a barbeque is running so people can eat before the meetings etc. A Google map can be included if appropriate.

Home

How to Join

There is no need to let us know beforehand that you are coming: you can just turn up.

The first time you do come, though, we will ask for a bit of information.
The questions are on this Microsoft Form:

Attendee Information Form

You can click the link and fill it in on line before you attend if you wish, or you can fill it in online or on paper when you arrive.

If you would like to know more than what's on this website, contact David Ilsley. Contact details here.

Note for the website developer

Modify this section as necessary

The Attendee Information Form might be a Microsoft Forms questionnaire containing any information needed about potential members such as age, special dietary requirements etc.

Home

News and Photos

News and photos from our meetings can be accessed through the password-protected link below.

2024

Note for the website developer

This section can be included or omitted as desired. If included, depending on who is attending, it may or may not be worth making the link password protected.

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Facebook
The club has a Facebook page which anyone is welcome to join, even if you don't come to meetings. Dark Side Astronomy
Home

Facebook

The club has a Facebook page which anyone is welcome to join, even if you don't come to meetings.

Dark Side Astronomy

Home

Meeting Format

Most meetings have a 3-part format.

Note for the website developer

This is the format I used, which worked well. Modify this section if required.

News

The first 20 minutes or so of the meeting proper consists of news about anything interesting happening in the astronomical world and announcements about things happening in the club.

Space Facts

In the next 30 minutes we learn about some aspect of astronomy (like Pluto, Black Holes, Galaxies . . .), usually through a slide show and discussion.

Activity

The last 40 minutes varies from week to week and may include quiz games with chocolate prizes, videos, development of projects (slideshows, videos, models, dramatic or dance performances etc.), using telescopes to observe the sun or moon, making rockets and parachutes or creating impact craters, and maybe light-sabre training. There may be some choice.

A few times a year, the activity will be a party where members bring some food and drink to share.

There will also be a number of evening events: star gazing, movie nights, an awards night; and also a Sunday afternoon trip to the Brisbane Planetarium.

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Space Facts

These PowerPoints are designed for presentation and discussion but can be used for independent learning. They are ordered in a suitable learning sequence, more basic ones near the top, more advanced ones further down. Many of thePowerPoints contain concepts related to sciences other than astronomy. The relevance of each Powerpoint to these other areas is shown by the Xs. Download the files and open them in PowerPoint so that they render properly.

Space Facts

eagle nebula

These PowerPoints are designed for presentation and discussion but can be used for independent learning. They are ordered in a suitable learning sequence, more basic ones near the top, more advanced ones further down.

Many of thePowerPoints contain concepts related to sciences other than astronomy. The relevance of each Powerpoint to these other areas is shown by the Xs.

Download the files and open them in PowerPoint so that they render properly.

PowerPoint	Earth Science	Physics	Chemistry	Biology	Philosophy
Introduction to the Universe
What the Universe is made of
The Night Sky
The Solar System
The Moon	X
Mercury	X
Venus	X
Mars	X
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Pluto
The Sun		X
Eclipses		X
Space Exploration		X
Things that hit the Earth
Telescopes		X
History of Astronomy					X
Astrology					X
4 percent of the Universe		X
96 percent of the Universe		X
Lives and Deaths of Stars		X
Atoms to Dust to Planets	X	X	X
Galaxies
Inter-stellar Medium
Atmospheres	X	X
History and Future of the Universe
History of the Earth	X
Geology of the Earth	X		X
Orbits		X
Comets and Meteor Showers		X
Position in the Sky
Life			X	X	X
Exoplanets and Extra-terrestrial Life			X	X
Energy		X
Sub-atomic Particles		X
Quantum Theory		X
Atoms		X	X
Special Relativity		X
Gravity and General Relativity		X
The Big Bang		X
Cosmology		X
Black Holes		X
Reality					X
Why is there Something?					X
Nucleosynthesis		X
HR Diagrams		X

Some topics for possible future Space Facts include: Theory of everything (including string theory, loop quantum gravity etc.); Fermi paradox (including ET intelligence and inter-stellar travel); cosmic rays; trans-Neptunian objects; entropy and information.
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Some topics for possible future Space Facts include:

Theory of everything (including string theory, loop quantum gravity etc.); Fermi paradox (including ET intelligence and inter-stellar travel); cosmic rays; trans-Neptunian objects; entropy and information.

Top of Space Facts Home

Activities

Activities vary from meeting to meeting. Details of the different activities are given below.

Freddo Challenge Emperor's Cup 4-Corner Quiz Relay

Kahoot Trivia Quiz Videos Virtual Reality Light-sabre Training

RAP Awards Night Preparation Parties

Note for the website developer

Several of the activities require quiz questions. Sets of questions (with answers) can be downloaded using the buttons below.

Club members might be able to access these, but there are numerous sets and, if the set being used is not announced in advance, then it would be difficult to cheat. Besides, anyone who is prepared to go to the trouble of memorising answers to numerous questions will be learning quite a bit and probably deserves any advantage that that might confer.

Members could in theory access the quiz questions from the links below during the quiz competition. If this is likely to be an issue, them some kind of surveillance system (like scrutineers from other teams) might be in order. Also, questions can be modified somewhat to make this more difficult.

Freddo Challenge Emperor's Cup 4-Corner Quiz 1 4-Corner Quiz 2 Relay

Home

Freddo Challenge
Judges sit behind tables in a side room with copies of the answer sheet. A guard (imperial or otherwise) stands at the door to the judging room. Players form teams of 3, 4 or 5. There are two divisions: to be in Division 1, all members of the team must be under 16; otherwise the team is in Division 2. When they have their team, the members go together to the guard to get a blank answer sheet with 3 sets of 10 answer spaces, numbered 1 to 30. The group then finds a place to work, and writes their team name and members' names at the top of the answer sheet. The 30 questions are uploaded to a page on the Dark Side Astronomy website (this site). Contestants will be able to access them once the URL is announced. Teams may do whatever research they like (including on the Internet with laptops or phones) to find the answers. They can even phone a friend. When they have the first 10 answered, one member of the team returns their answer sheet to one of the judges. (The other members can continue working on the other questions.) The guard stands at the door of the judging room and allows in only one person per sheet. The judge checks the paper and tells the competitor how many of the first set are right (not which ones). The group can go back and try again as many times as they wish. When they are satisfied with their score they tell the judge that that is their final try and the judge writes the score at the bottom of the column. Once the score is recorded for column 1, they can have column 2 judged and so on. They can work on columns 2 and 3 while working on column 1, but cannot have them judged until the previous column is finalised. The teams are warned 5 minutes and 2 minutes before time-up so they can get their un-finalised columns finalised and their total mark entered. When they do this, they leave their sheet with the judges. The judges then determine the winning team in each division. They then present the prizes – one large chocolate Freddo Frog per team member. If anyone gets to 30 before time-up, the first team to do so in each division wins, though it is not announced until all have finished.
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Freddo Challenge

Judges sit behind tables in a side room with copies of the answer sheet. A guard (imperial or otherwise) stands at the door to the judging room.

Players form teams of 3, 4 or 5. There are two divisions: to be in Division 1, all members of the team must be under 16; otherwise the team is in Division 2. When they have their team, the members go together to the guard to get a blank answer sheet with 3 sets of 10 answer spaces, numbered 1 to 30. The group then finds a place to work, and writes their team name and members' names at the top of the answer sheet.

The 30 questions are uploaded to a page on the Dark Side Astronomy website (this site). Contestants will be able to access them once the URL is announced.

chocolate freddo

Teams may do whatever research they like (including on the Internet with laptops or phones) to find the answers. They can even phone a friend. When they have the first 10 answered, one member of the team returns their answer sheet to one of the judges. (The other members can continue working on the other questions.) The guard stands at the door of the judging room and allows in only one person per sheet. The judge checks the paper and tells the competitor how many of the first set are right (not which ones). The group can go back and try again as many times as they wish. When they are satisfied with their score they tell the judge that that is their final try and the judge writes the score at the bottom of the column. Once the score is recorded for column 1, they can have column 2 judged and so on. They can work on columns 2 and 3 while working on column 1, but cannot have them judged until the previous column is finalised.

The teams are warned 5 minutes and 2 minutes before time-up so they can get their un-finalised columns finalised and their total mark entered. When they do this, they leave their sheet with the judges.

The judges then determine the winning team in each division. They then present the prizes – one large chocolate Freddo Frog per team member. If anyone gets to 30 before time-up, the first team to do so in each division wins, though it is not announced until all have finished.

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Emperor's Cup
The Emperor's Cup is a trophy cup. It is filled with Cadburys Favourites before each competition. Those present are divided into teams of about 10. This can be done in varying ways. For instance, competitors might choose their own. Other times they might be assigned randomly, e.g. by the first letter of their name or by each person picking a team name from a hat. At the previous week’s meeting, members might be told what topics the questions will be on so that those who wish to can research them. In the competition, each team works in a different area. Computers and phones can be allowed or can be disallowed. If disallowed, one person from each team works as scrutineer with the next team to check for cheating. The scrutineer can walk around and watch, but not distract. A judge walks around each team in order handing out sheets. Teams can start when they get their sheet. After 20 minutes the judge walks round again and collects up in the same order. Papers are marked. One point is given per correct answer. The team with the most points wins. If two or more teams are equal, the team with the correct answer to the highest-number question wins; if those are the same, then the next highest and so on. While the papers are being marked, someone can go through the correct answers with the competitors. This will add to their knowledge as well as occupying them while they wait for the results. The winning team gets to share and eat the chocolates.
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Emperor's Cup

The Emperor's Cup is a trophy cup. It is filled with Cadburys Favourites before each competition.

Those present are divided into teams of about 10. This can be done in varying ways. For instance, competitors might choose their own. Other times they might be assigned randomly, e.g. by the first letter of their name or by each person picking a team name from a hat.

At the previous week’s meeting, members might be told what topics the questions will be on so that those who wish to can research them.

emperor palpatine

In the competition, each team works in a different area. Computers and phones can be allowed or can be disallowed. If disallowed, one person from each team works as scrutineer with the next team to check for cheating. The scrutineer can walk around and watch, but not distract.

A judge walks around each team in order handing out sheets. Teams can start when they get their sheet. After 20 minutes the judge walks round again and collects up in the same order.

Papers are marked. One point is given per correct answer. The team with the most points wins. If two or more teams are equal, the team with the correct answer to the highest-number question wins; if those are the same, then the next highest and so on.

While the papers are being marked, someone can go through the correct answers with the competitors. This will add to their knowledge as well as occupying them while they wait for the results.

The winning team gets to share and eat the chocolates.

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4-Corners Quiz
A multiple-choice question with four answers, A, B, C and D, is projected onto a screen. Cards marked A, B, C and D are placed in four corners of the room. Competitors go to the corner corresponding to what they think is the correct answer. Those who go to the wrong corners are dead and have to go to the morgue (a separate area in the room). Those who are still alive get to attempt the next question and so on. The last person alive wins their choice from the chocolate bar basket. If a question kills all remaining competitors, that round ends without a prize being given. Once a round has ended, everyone comes back to life for the next round. Rounds continue while time is available.
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4-Corners Quiz

A multiple-choice question with four answers, A, B, C and D, is projected onto a screen. Cards marked A, B, C and D are placed in four corners of the room. Competitors go to the corner corresponding to what they think is the correct answer.

Those who go to the wrong corners are dead and have to go to the morgue (a separate area in the room). Those who are still alive get to attempt the next question and so on. The last person alive wins their choice from the chocolate bar basket. If a question kills all remaining competitors, that round ends without a prize being given.

Once a round has ended, everyone comes back to life for the next round. Rounds continue while time is available.

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Relay
The game is played between teams. Each team has a judge who sits a few metres away from where the team is working. The game consists of a number of rounds. In each round, each judge is given a sheet containing 8 multiple-choice questions plus an answer sheet. On the word 'Go', a runner from each team goes and collects the question sheet from their judge and brings it back to their team. The team then decides on an answer to Question 1, writes it on the sheet and the runner takes it to their judge. The judge tells them 'right' or 'wrong'. If right, the judge ticks it off on their answer sheet and the team then proceeds to the next question. If wrong, the runner goes back and the team tries again. They keep doing so until they get it right, then they move on to the next question. Teams must get the questions right in order. They may look things up on phones or laptops. When a team has got the correct answer to Question 6, the runner goes and rings a bell or bangs the front desk. That runner's team then receives a chocolate for each team member. If a team has won one round, they have to answer 7 questions on subsequent rounds; if they have won more than one round, they have to answer all 8.
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Relay

The game is played between teams. Each team has a judge who sits a few metres away from where the team is working.

The game consists of a number of rounds. In each round, each judge is given a sheet containing 8 multiple-choice questions plus an answer sheet.

On the word 'Go', a runner from each team goes and collects the question sheet from their judge and brings it back to their team. The team then decides on an answer to Question 1, writes it on the sheet and the runner takes it to their judge. The judge tells them 'right' or 'wrong'. If right, the judge ticks it off on their answer sheet and the team then proceeds to the next question. If wrong, the runner goes back and the team tries again. They keep doing so until they get it right, then they move on to the next question. Teams must get the questions right in order. They may look things up on phones or laptops.

When a team has got the correct answer to Question 6, the runner goes and rings a bell or bangs the front desk. That runner's team then receives a chocolate for each team member.

If a team has won one round, they have to answer 7 questions on subsequent rounds; if they have won more than one round, they have to answer all 8.

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Kahoot
This will be a Kahoot quiz game with prizes. People can compete individually or in small groups. The questions will sometimes be based on that day's Space Facts presentation.
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Kahoot

This will be a Kahoot quiz game with prizes. People can compete individually or in small groups.

The questions will sometimes be based on that day's Space Facts presentation.

kahoot screen

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Trivia Quiz
The Trivia Quiz is run like most trivia quizzes. Those present divide themselves into teams of about 4 to 8. At the previous week’s meeting, members might be told what topics the questions will be on so that those who wish to can research them. Each team is given an answer sheet with answer spaces for a few questions sets. The questions for the first set are read out and/or shown on a projector one at a time and teams write their answers on their sheets. Computers and phones might be allowed or might be disallowed. After the first question set, the answers are given and the teams mark their papers. The same procedure is followed for subsequent questions sets. Each team appoints a scrutineer to watch a neighbouring team mark their paper. If phones and computers are disallowed, then a scrutineer also watches a neighbouring team as they answer the questions. The scrutineer can walk around and watch, but not distract. The scrutineers can change between question sets. After the last question set, the team with the most points wins. If two or more teams are equal, a play-off is held between the tying teams. A question is asked/shown. The first team to call out the right answer wins. If a wrong answer is called out, that team is out and the play-off continues between the remaining teams on the same question. If no one gets the correct answer and there is still more than one team in play, then a new question is asked. And so on. The winning team gets to share and eat a prize.
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Trivia Quiz

The Trivia Quiz is run like most trivia quizzes.

Those present divide themselves into teams of about 4 to 8.

At the previous week’s meeting, members might be told what topics the questions will be on so that those who wish to can research them.

people around laptop

Each team is given an answer sheet with answer spaces for a few questions sets. The questions for the first set are read out and/or shown on a projector one at a time and teams write their answers on their sheets. Computers and phones might be allowed or might be disallowed.

After the first question set, the answers are given and the teams mark their papers. The same procedure is followed for subsequent questions sets.

Each team appoints a scrutineer to watch a neighbouring team mark their paper. If phones and computers are disallowed, then a scrutineer also watches a neighbouring team as they answer the questions. The scrutineer can walk around and watch, but not distract. The scrutineers can change between question sets.

After the last question set, the team with the most points wins. If two or more teams are equal, a play-off is held between the tying teams. A question is asked/shown. The first team to call out the right answer wins. If a wrong answer is called out, that team is out and the play-off continues between the remaining teams on the same question. If no one gets the correct answer and there is still more than one team in play, then a new question is asked. And so on.

The winning team gets to share and eat a prize.

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Videos
A video is shown. The videos will be on some aspect of astronomy. In some cases, options may be offered and the most popular one chosen.
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Virtual Reality
It may be possible to borrow some virtual reality sets so members can experience virtual reality in contexts including space travel.
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Virtual Reality

It may be possible to borrow some virtual reality sets so members can experience virtual reality in contexts including space travel.

girl with virtual reality headset

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Light-sabre Training
We may be able to get a black-belt in Haidong Gumdo to come and provide some training for those who wish to participate. Haidong Gumdo is the Korean sword-fighting style used in the choreography of many of the Star Wars light-sabre duels. It may also be possible to hold some competitive light-sabre duels.

Light-sabre Training

We may be able to get a black-belt in Haidong Gumdo to come and provide some training for those who wish to participate. Haidong Gumdo is the Korean sword-fighting style used in the choreography of many of the Star Wars light-sabre duels.

It may also be possible to hold some competitive light-sabre duels.

light-sabre duel

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RAP (Research and Production)
Members work on producing something astronomy-related or Star-Wars-related that can be shown at Dark Side meetings and/or the Awards Night, or on the Dark Side Astronomy website. Options include but aren't limited to slide shows and videos, models, posters, theatrical or dance performances and costumes. Some suggestions for slide shows and videos: astrology; exploration of the solar system; inter-stellar travel; living in space; alternative homes elsewhere in the galaxy; Mercury; Venus; the asteroids; Saturn; Uranus and Neptune; the mythology of the constellations. Some suggestions for models: the structure of Earth and/or other solar system bodies; the solar system (to scale or otherwise); the local galaxy cluster; light sabres; Star Wars characters and scenes. Some suggestions for posters: the acivities of the Dark Side Astronomy Club; light sabe techniques; a summary of the universe; various other aspects of astronomy as listed under 'slide shows and videos' above. Some suggestions for performances: light sabre battles; other scenes from Star Wars; dancing in Star Wars costumes; dramatic performances for Awards Night; skits. Costumes might be for the dance and theatrical performances or for other situations like light sabre battles; other scenes from Star Wars; dancing in Star Wars costumes.
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RAP (Research and Production)

Members work on producing something astronomy-related or Star-Wars-related that can be shown at Dark Side meetings and/or the Awards Night, or on the Dark Side Astronomy website. Options include but aren't limited to slide shows and videos, models, posters, theatrical or dance performances and costumes.

Some suggestions for slide shows and videos: astrology; exploration of the solar system; inter-stellar travel; living in space; alternative homes elsewhere in the galaxy; Mercury; Venus; the asteroids; Saturn; Uranus and Neptune; the mythology of the constellations.

solar system

Some suggestions for models: the structure of Earth and/or other solar system bodies; the solar system (to scale or otherwise); the local galaxy cluster; light sabres; Star Wars characters and scenes.

Some suggestions for posters: the acivities of the Dark Side Astronomy Club; light sabe techniques; a summary of the universe; various other aspects of astronomy as listed under 'slide shows and videos' above.

Some suggestions for performances: light sabre battles; other scenes from Star Wars; dancing in Star Wars costumes; dramatic performances for Awards Night; skits.

Costumes might be for the dance and theatrical performances or for other situations like light sabre battles; other scenes from Star Wars; dancing in Star Wars costumes.

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Awards Night Preparation
Towards the end of the year, some members will be involved in devising and rehearsing presentations and performances for the Awards Night.
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Parties
Occasionally, the activity might be a Party. Members can bring a contribution of food or drink to share. Hopefully there will be a suitable mix of savouries, sweets and drinks. It always happens that some members forget to bring something. They are still welcome to attend, but should eat and drink sparingly and try to make up for it at the next party.
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Parties

Occasionally, the activity might be a Party. Members can bring a contribution of food or drink to share. Hopefully there will be a suitable mix of savouries, sweets and drinks.

It always happens that some members forget to bring something. They are still welcome to attend, but should eat and drink sparingly and try to make up for it at the next party.

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Program

The program will be partly decided in advance, but it will evolve and change.

The following will give some idea of the sort of things we might do.

2024 Term 1 2024 Term 2 2024 Term 3 2024 Term 4

Note for the website developer

This is a sample program. Modify it as necessary.

Home

Program - 2024 Term 1

Date	News	Space Facts	Activity
Feb 27	Website, communication, attendee information	Introduction to the Universe - Part 1	Emperor's Cup Quiz Game
Mar 6	RAP	Introduction to the Universe - Part 2	RAP
Mar 13	Star gazing arrangements, website	The Sun	Kahoot
Mar 20	Cosmic and Galactic Shields, party arrangements	The Night Sky	Light-sabre Training or RAP
Mar 25	Star Gazing	Saturday Evening
Mar 27	Website	Lives and Deaths of Stars	Party

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Program - 2024 Term 2

Date	News	Space Facts	Activity
Apr 15	Planetarium Arrangements	The Solar System	Video or RAP
Apr 22	Website	Black Holes	4-corners Quiz
Apr 29		Things that hit the Earth - Part 1	RAP
May 6	Planetarium arrangements Star gazing arrangements	Things that hit the Earth - Part 2	Trivia
May 12	Planetarium	(Sunday afternoon)
May 13		Telescopes - Part 1	Light-sabre Training or RAP
May 20	Star gazing arrangements	Telescopes - Part 2	Video or RAP
May 25	Star Gazing	(Saturday Evening)
May 27		What the Universe is Made of	Freddo Challenge
Jun 3		The Moon	Virtual Reality or RAP
Jun 10	Party arrangements	Astrology	Relay
Jun 17		Mars	Party

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Program - 2024 Term 3

Date	News	Space Facts	Activity
July 8		Galaxies	Emperor's Cup Quiz Game
July 15		History of the Earth	Video or RAP
July 22	Star gazing arrangements	History and Future of the Universe	Video or RAP
July 29		Pluto	Light-sabre Training or RAP
Aug 5	Star gazing arrangements	Exoplanets and Extra-Terrestrial Life	Kahoot
Aug 9	Star Gazing	(Saturday Evening)
Aug 12		Subatomic Particles	RAP
Aug 19		Atoms to Dust to Planets	Video or RAP
Aug 26		Quantum Theory - Part 1	Feddo Challenge or RAP
Sep 2	Party arrangements	Quantum Theory - Part 2	RAP
Sep 9		Jupiter	Party

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Program - 2024 Term 4

Date	News	Space Facts	Activity
Sep 30	Awards Night	History of Astronomy	4-corner Quiz
Oct 7		Geology of the Earth	RAP
Oct 13	Star gazing arrangements	Comets and Meteor Showers	Trivia
Oct 20		Special Relativity	Video or RAP
Oct 27	Star gazing arrangements	Gravity and General Relativity	Light Sabre Training or RAP
Nov 1	Star Gazing	(Saturday Night)
Nov 3	Awards night arrangements	RAP	Cosmic Shield Knock-outs or RAP
Nov 10	Awards night arrangements Party arrangements	RAP	RAP
Nov 17	Awards Night	Awards Night	Awards Night
Nov 24	Review	Emperor's Cup Quiz Game	Party

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Learning
The aim of the Dark Side Astronomy Club is to have some fun and hopefully to be awed by some of the wonders of the universe. In the Space Facts section of each meeting, members will have the chance to learn a bit about astronomy. Astronomy is the study of the universe and, as the universe is everything, astronomy is often called 'the science of everything'. As such, as well as the astronomical learning, members will be exposed to many fundamental concepts of science more generally. No prior knowledge will be assumed and it doesn't matter if not everything makes complete sense. Questions and requests for clarification will always be welcome. School students may benefit from meeting in an interesting context some of the ideas in the school science curriculum. In the end, there are no tests, so no pressure to grasp everything. Admittedly, there are competitions and those who know more will have better chances of winning the prizes. The Cosmic Shield competition which honours the individuals with the greatest astronomical knowledge takes place at the end of the year, but entry is optional. Apart from that, all the competitions are competed in cooperative groups, so, if someone in the group doesn't know something, someone else in the group might. And looking things up on the Internet is generally allowed. Some examples of what might be learnt are: atoms and subatomic particles, the four fundamental forces, quantum theory, nuclear reactions, spectra, geology, special and general relativity and cosmology. We will also dabble in philosophy, looking at the nature of our perceptions and reality and why anything exists, though, of course, without providing definitive answers. A little bit of maths will also be involved, though again getting it won't be essential. The greatest hope is that members will develop their interest in and fascination for astronomy and maybe science more generally.
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Learning

The aim of the Dark Side Astronomy Club is to have some fun and hopefully to be awed by some of the wonders of the universe.

In the Space Facts section of each meeting, members will have the chance to learn a bit about astronomy.

Astronomy is the study of the universe and, as the universe is everything, astronomy is often called 'the science of everything'.

As such, as well as the astronomical learning, members will be exposed to many fundamental concepts of science more generally. No prior knowledge will be assumed and it doesn't matter if not everything makes complete sense. Questions and requests for clarification will always be welcome. School students may benefit from meeting in an interesting context some of the ideas in the school science curriculum.

In the end, there are no tests, so no pressure to grasp everything. Admittedly, there are competitions and those who know more will have better chances of winning the prizes. The Cosmic Shield competition which honours the individuals with the greatest astronomical knowledge takes place at the end of the year, but entry is optional. Apart from that, all the competitions are competed in cooperative groups, so, if someone in the group doesn't know something, someone else in the group might. And looking things up on the Internet is generally allowed.

Some examples of what might be learnt are: atoms and subatomic particles, the four fundamental forces, quantum theory, nuclear reactions, spectra, geology, special and general relativity and cosmology.

We will also dabble in philosophy, looking at the nature of our perceptions and reality and why anything exists, though, of course, without providing definitive answers.

A little bit of maths will also be involved, though again getting it won't be essential. The greatest hope is that members will develop their interest in and fascination for astronomy and maybe science more generally.

Top of Learning Home

Member Creations

During the RAP (Research and Production) sessions, members will be given the opportunity to develop items of astronomical or Star Wars interest. These can be informative or entertaining (or both). They might take the form of videos, slide shows, web pages etc.

Those who wish to can have their creations posted on this website either publicly (accessible to the general public) or privately (on a password-protected page accessible only to other members of the club).

Public Creations

The links below are to the publicly visible creations. The only one there so far is a slideshow produced by a member of the club when it operated back in 2013 and included here as an example.

Jess Goodwin: The Dark Side - A Step Back in Time (2013)

Private Creations

Click the button below to access the password-protected creations.

Private Creations

Note for the website developer

Depending on who is attending, it may or may not be worth having a password-protected area for memeber creations.

Instructions for getting your creation published here

To get your document, video, slideshow or whatever included on the Dark Side Astronomy site and listed above or in the private area, email* it to d.ilsley@gmail.com

You can also create your own webpage with links to your videos etc. and get it listed. The following is one way to do this.

Download a webpage template, Cr-Template.txt, here
Copy the contents of Cr-Template.txt (Ctrl+A, Ctrl+C).
Open a Notepad file (or another text editor). Paste into the file (Ctrl+V).
Save the Notepad file to a name of your choice with extension 'html'. If you open it with a browser (double-click it in Windows Explorer), it should look like this.
Edit the html file until you are happy with it. (Check how it looks in the browser as you go.)
Email* the finished webpage and the linked item(s) to d.ilsley@gmail.com. Also indicate whether you wish the link to your web page to be posted in the public or private area.

* Please include in your email a permission statement along the lines of: "I give permission for you to post the materials I email to you for that purpose on the Dark Side Astronomy website." If you are under 18, the email should come from a parent, giving permission for the item to be posted in your name. This permission will cover any future materials you wish to post. You can retract your permission at any time and your items will be removed.

So as not to infringe copyright laws, any material produced by others and included in your items must be public domain or Creative Commons licensed and acknowledged.

Unfortunately, because David Ilsley is responsible for anything inappropriate or in breach of copyright on this website, items that can be edited remotely after being posted, like Microsoft Sways, cannot be included. You are free, of course, to post such items elsewhere and to have a link to them included here. And, as long as they do not infringe copyright, such items can still be shown at meetings.

To non-Dark-Side-Astronomy people who happen to find these creations:

Despite the measures taken to ensure that all material here is copyright-free, it is possible that some copyright material may have slipped in unnoticed. If you find anything here that is subject to copyright, please contact David Ilsley on d.ilsley@gmail.com and it will be immediately removed (or properly acknowledged).

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Star Gazing
As well as the casual star gazing at meetings, we hope to hold a few more dedicated star-gazing evenings each year. Some of these might be with the Scenic Rim Astronomy Association at Rathdowney (where the sky is nice and dark and where members have large, powerful, computerised telescopes that we can look through); some might be more local.
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Star Gazing

As well as the casual star gazing at meetings, we hope to hold a few more dedicated star-gazing evenings each year.

Some of these might be with the Scenic Rim Astronomy Association at Rathdowney (where the sky is nice and dark and where members have large, powerful, computerised telescopes that we can look through); some might be more local.

looking through telescopes

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Planetarium

We will visit the Brisbane Planetarium as a group to watch an astronomy show once a year. Dates and details will be provided closer to the time.

brisbane planetarium

There is quite a bit to look at at the planetarium besides the shows, so it is probably worth arriving early to go though the displays.

Shows last about an hour. After the show, we might gather in the foyer for a group photo. Then those who wish to might go up to the top of Mount Coot-tha to admire the view and maybe get some refreshments in the kiosk. This would provide an opportunity for us to get to know one another.

It is easiest if families book and pay online direct to the planetarium.

Bookings and payment can be made using the link below. Enter the date, leave the other boxes, and click 'Search Events'. Then click on the show and follow the instructions.

Admission last year was $12 for an adult, $8 for 3-14 year olds. Children under 3 were free.

Planetarium Booking Link

Just in case there are more people wanting to go than the number of seats available, it may be worth booking as soon as you know you are going.

The plan is to travel individually and for us all to gather inside the planetarium during the hour or so before the show.

The planetarium is located in the Mount Coot-tha Botanical Gardens. The map below shows the location.

Note for the website developer

Modify this section to fit the local planetarium. A Google map can be included.

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Star Wars Movies

We may hold a Star Wars movie marathon showing the first six movies, maybe over two or three weekends.

darth vader and storm trooper

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Awards Night

The Awards Night is a kind of finale for the year where members put on an entertaining show showcasing what they have been doing during the year.

Awards Night items may include:

• a slide show of the year's activities

• presentations by members

• a quiz game

• the finals of the Cosmic Shield competition

• the presentation of attendance certificates and the Cosmic and Galactic Shields

Be aware that Darth Vader and a few of his associates may make an appearance during the evening and a number of fatalities may result.

Attendance certificates will be awarded to everyone who attends at least 50% of the meetings and events during the year.

The Galactic Shield is a perpetual trophy which is engraved at the end of each year with the names of the members who attended the largest number of meetings and events during the year.

The Cosmic Shield is a perpetual trophy engraved at the end of each year with the names of the winners of the Cosmic Shield Final.

The competition is designed to determine who has the greatest astronomical knowledge. Heats are conducted in the prior weeks and the top three go into the finals. The finals are conducted like a TV quiz game with various different-style rounds.

The finalists of the Cosmic Shield will receive certificates of their achievement.

Note for the website developer

The link below is to some questions (with answers) and other materials for the Awards Night Cosmic Shield Competition.

As these can be accessed by the competitors, it would probably be worth using them as templates only and making changes to the questions. Of course, they could be used 'as is' for practice.

Cosmic Shield Materials

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Tidbits

Below is an astronomical tidbit. More can be found here.

tidbit example

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Astronomy Glossary

Below is the beginning of an astronomical glossary. The whole document can be found here.

astronomy glossary example

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Astronomy Internet Resources

Below is the beginnings of a list of good free astronomical resources available on the Internet.

If anyone knows of others worth including, please feel free to let me know on d.ilsley@gmail.com

Software Websites YouTube Facebook Mailing Lists Phone Aps

Software

Stellarium Shows the sky in great detail at any given time and place as well as a lot of detail about the celestial objects shown. Probably the best free astronomy software.

Celestia Allows you to travel through the universe looking at celestial objects. Controls are keyboard keys and mouse actions, so it takes a while to learn to drive it.

Websites

The Planets Lots of basic information about the planets and other aspects of the solar system.

Space Place NASA astronomy site for kids.

Ology - Astronomy for Kids By the American Museum of Natural History. Contains games, stories, hands-on activities and videos.

NASA Missions Details of all NASA's space missions.

Astronomy Various astronomical articles along with stuff for sale.

BBC Sky at Night Magazine Astronomy articles, along with some ads (astronomy-related).

Astronomy and Astrophysics Forum Ask questions and get answers from other members.

Astronomy Online A site containing links to numerous other astronomy sites.

PhET Gravity and Orbit Simulator Simple online simulation of the the orbits of Sun, Earth and Moon, allowing the user to change initial velocities etc.

Brisbane Planetarium Information about the planetarium, shows etc.

Scenic Rim Astronomy Association Website of the Scenic Rim Astronomy Association, based at Laravale.

Brisbane Astronomical Society Website of the Brisbane Astronomical Society, based at Coorparoo.

SEQAS Website of the South East Queensland Astronomical Society, based at Bracken Ridge.

YouTube

PBS Space Time (Channel) Clear and mostly reasonably simple accounts of astronomical ideas from Cosmology at the biggest scale right down to the subatomic. Presented by Matt O'Dowd, Australian astrophysicist.

Arvin Ash (Channel) Fascinating aspects of physics and astronomy explained fairly simply.

Kurzgesagt (Channel) Short snappy videos on a lot of topics. Click on the blue and green planet, then 'Playlists', then 'The Universe and Space Stuff' for the astronomical ones.

The Entire History of the Universe (Channel) A series of 10 videos (around 30-45 minutes each) covering the most important issues of the history of the universe in a thorough and professional way.

ScienceClic English (Channel) Videos which present difficult ideas like the curvature of space time and quantum field theory in ways that are accessible to people without a lot of maths/science background.

Domain of Science (Channel) Videos which give summaries of various topics in physics, astronomy and other sciences.

Physics (Channel) Videos which give quite mathematical explanations of advanced ideas like wave functions and Einstein's field equations. Many involve a senior high school to first year university maths, though they can be partly understood without.

NASA (Channel) Videos focusing on NASA's work in space exploration.

Hubble Space Telescope (Channel) Information about the telescope and some of its classic images.

Space and Astronomy (Channel) Numerous videos (somewhat dramatic) on popular spects of astronomy - the planets, meteoroid impacts, aliens, the future of humanity etc.

John Michael Godier (Channel) Numerous videos on popular spects of astronomy with emphasis on extra-terrestrial life.

Deep Sky Videos (Channel) Numerous videos, each discussing one galaxy (deep sky object) and its particular interesting features.

CrashCourse (Channel) Educational videos on many subjects. There is a set of 48 on astronomy covering a wide range of topics in an informative way.

Cosmoknowledge (Channel) A collection of videos about unusual and extreme things in the cosmos. Not always totally accurate, but informative and fascinating.

Facebook

Universe Today News posts about astronomy and space exploration.

Astronomy Magazine Interesting astronomical snippets.

Starts with a Bang Interesting astronomical snippets.

Sky & Telescope Interesting astronomical snippets, focusing on observational astronomy.

Secrets of the Universe Interesting astronomical articles.

Mailing Lists

Universe Today (info@universetoday.com) A weekly newsletter from Fraser Cain containing latest news about astronomy and space exploration.

Phone Aps

Sky Map Hold the phone up and the ap shows the stars, planets etc. that are in the sky behind it.

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Contact

The M1Astronomy site is produced and maintained by David Ilsley, d.ilsley@gmail.com

Feel free to make contact if you have any questions or suggestions.

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This site, m1astronomy.com is produced and maintained by David Ilsley. It is copyrighted under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License CC BY-NC 4.0. This allows the materials to be printed, copied, adapted and stored locally. It also allows them to be re-published for non-commercial purposes as long as clear attribution is made to m1astronomy.com.

Images and music from other sources are used here, but these are all copyright free and their sources are acknowledged.

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Image Acknowledgements

Telescopes: rawpixel.com (cropped)
Horsehead Nebula: wallpaperuse.com (cropped)
Kids on phone: Max Fischer on Pexels (cropped)
Cosmic Cliffs: rawpixel.com (cropped)
Eagle Nebula: pxfuel.com (cropped)
Trivia team: flickr.com
Freddo: flickr.com
Emperor: flickr.com
Virtual reality: StckSnap.io
Lightsabre duel: flickr.com
Solar system: commons.wikimedia.org
Planetarium: commons.wikimedia.org
Star Wars: rawpixel.com
Yoda image: pixabay.com

RUNNING AN ASTRONOMY CLUB