Become a stargazer tonight.
We make it easy for you to learn the stars.
Don't start with a telescope! Learn the basics first.
Zero to Hero Stargazing is the perfect online course for the absolute beginner.
Ages 8 - 88+.
We make learning easy by focusing on the stars you are most likely to see.
It is hard to know where to start when there are thousands of stars in the sky. That's why our online course focuses on the brightest stars that you can typically see, even from an urban area. This is how you get immediate results.
Don't waste your money on a telescope!
Start here first.
If you don't know where the stars are and you're trying to use your new telescope, you will get frustrated and your kids will get bored. This course gives you a step by step process to learn the sky and get your kids working with you. We're not anti-telescope at Cosmicademy, we just think that learning a little bit of the 'big picture' first makes for a more enjoyable telescope experience.
What's included
We've done a lot of hard work to make learning the sky as easy as possible for the complete beginner. The course includes short videos and printable handouts to keep learners engaged.
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Learn how to spot 12 stars and over 20 constellations.
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Learn how to predict the shape and phases of the moon.
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Learn why the Zodiac is called the Zodiac, and why it is important in astronomy.
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23 Videos ranging from 3 - 6 minutes long make the course easy to take in small bites.
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Printable course handouts to keep you on track and to use as a guide outside.
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Optional mini-quizzes to test your progress.
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All for $20!
Stargazing is a path to a solid STEM education
We start with the stars to understand the universe
Let's be clear, you won't just learn about stars. This course teaches you where Orion will be on your birthday, how to predict what the moon will look like three weeks from now, and why the Zodiac is called the Zodiac.
The perfect stargazing course for busy parents
Our course is designed to let you and your kids learn the stars quickly. Being outside at night is just different when you can name the stars. We won't say it'll change everything, but it does make nighttime activities a more enjoyable and enriching family experience.
Course Overview
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Module 1: Learning How to Learn The Sky We explain how we'll teach you, and the different paths you can take through the course. |
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Module 2: Learn the Winter Stars You'll learn the key stars you can see during the winter. The key constellation is Orion. You'll learn about six constellations and seven bright stars, plus a nice bonus. |
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Module 3: Learn the Spring Stars This module focuses on the Spring time constellations. Say hello to the Big Dipper. You'll learn about four constellations and three bright stars. |
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Module 4: Learn the Summer Stars Although nights are short in the summer, you'll find Cygnus, and learn the story behind my favourite star: Antares. In total you'll learn about five constellations and four bright stars. |
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Module 5: Learn the Fall Stars Cassiopeia sets the stage for the final season. You'll learn how to spot four constellations and one bright star. |
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Module 6: Finding North In this module you'll learn how to find the North Star from any of the seasons taught in the previous modules. |
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Module 7: The Sun and the Moon You'll learn the about the paths of the Sun and Moon across the sky, including how the moon changes its shape and how to predict what it will look like and where it will be at any point in the month. |
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Module 8: From the Zodiac to the Ecliptic Each of the seasons had two Zodiac constellations. In this module we'll fill in the missing constellations, explain why the Zodiac is called the Zodiac, and explain why it is important in astronomy. You'll learn four additional constellations. |
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Module 9: Continuing Your Stargazing Journey In the final module you'll learn a powerful technique to help you teach yourself ALL the rest of the constellations. |
FAQ
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Who is this course for?
There are three broad groups that like this course. The first group is kids who like astronomy and want to learn more. The second group is adults that are interested in astronomy, often out of a simple interest, sometimes because they are considering it as a hobby. The third group is teachers who want to add stargazing to their curriculum or as a club at their school.
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What age is this course good for?
This course is recommended for kids aged eight and up. For young kids, it is recommended that you print out the handouts and do the course videos together.
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My kids are under eight, is this course for them?
If you have a six or seven year old, we recommend that the parent or guardian take the course, then teach the child. Then when you're outside, find a 'guidepost' constellation and have your kid re-tell you the 'star story'.
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What about grown ups?
Many grown ups, including grandparents and retirees, have enjoyed the course. There's something comforting about looking up at the stars and seeing 'old friends' like Orion and Perseus. The same story telling approach that makes it easy for kids to learn, makes it easy for everyone to learn.
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Do I need a telescope to take this course?
As the most basic introduction to stargazing, no telescopes are required. We want you to look at the whole sky, or at least chunks of it. Focusing on individual stars can come later. If you are new to stargazing, we think you'll enjoy your telescope more after you complete this course.
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How do you teach the material in a way that kids will understand and remember the material?
We use a storytelling method to make it easy to remember the key facts. Kids are good at remembering stories. Smaller kids appreciate hearing the same stories over again. All you need to do is remember the story, and you'll remember the stars.
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What do I need to know before taking the course? Are there pre-requisites?
This course assumes that you don't know anything. We start from the absolute beginning and do our best to keep it easy. This is the type of course that helps you learn astronomy from other books and courses.
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Can you actually teach stargazing indoors on a computer?
We make this easy to learn by focusing on the brightest stars and constellations, and then using those as a guide to find other stars. To teach this, we strip away the 'clutter' so that you can focus on the big picture. This part is much easier done in the comfort of your home. The 'Homework' is outside when the conditions are right for you.
Course Reviews:
The title perfectly describes the course - with a hint of...
Angela Mackay
The text is clear, comprehensive and follows a logical path. This is an excellent introduction to 'star-gazing.' The introduction, body of work and review ar...
Read MoreThe text is clear, comprehensive and follows a logical path. This is an excellent introduction to 'star-gazing.' The introduction, body of work and review are all well presented and any student of any age has ample time to learn and reflect - and know where the videos will take them and where they have travelled from in the classes. There is logic to the progression and clarity of the route to be taken. The use of language is straightforward, clear and well-paced and encouraging and takes ample steps to reduce any anxiety or misunderstanding. The narrator's voice is clear and well-modulated. Be prepared for an introduction to the origins of names of stars and constellations, they all have a history that is clearly, briefly told. The Greek/Roman/Arabic origins make this all more interesting, The visuals are very clear, the graphics helpful and there is a minimum of text clutter to deal with. The end of section quizzes are a great way to check your own progress. And confirming the place a movement of the moon and the zodiac constellations is a perfect conclusion to a stimulating, fun course.
Read LessYour Astronomy Instructor
Astronomy Education Enthusiast
Scott Ship
Hi there! My name is Scott and I’ll be your instructor on this course. I’m a dad that loves the stars and decided to start Cosmicademy when I realized how easy it was to learn a basic understanding of the sky. I think amateur stargazing is a great hobby that is easy to start. Also, I realized that since astronomical discoveries created modern science, teaching kids a bit about how that happened might make them more interested in science in general. I look forward to sharing this journey with you.
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Image Credits
Man looking up at cosmos: Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash
Two people looking at stars: https://unsplash.com/@mrmarkdejong