Stargazing and Wayfinding in the Winter Night Sky
Meets: Tu from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: MSU Bozeman - Barnard Hall
There are still openings remaining at this time.
Throughout human history, people have looked to the stars to track seasons, guide travel, plan harvests, and understand the world. Part of MSU After Hours, this hands-on workshop invites you to experience the winter night sky with new confidence and wonder.
What You'll Learn:
This course introduces the cultural and observational foundations of astronomy. Together, we will:
- Explore constellation stories from traditions around the globe
- Learn how to identify key constellations visible in the late winter sky
- Build visual associations to constellations easier to recognize
- Spark your own interest in astronomy and astrophysics
How You'll Learn It:
We will begin with 30 minutes of indoor instruction covering basic sky orientation, constellation patterns, and seasonal visibility. We will then move outdoors (please dress for the weather) to apply these concepts under the night sky using binoculars and telescopes. Targets will include visible planets, star clusters, nearby nebulae, and the Andromeda Galaxy.
Please note: Should weather prevent us from viewing stars, we will postpone the class to Thursday, March 26, at the same time. An email will be sent out 24 hours prior to the original date if we need to postpone.
Who Should Attend:
This course is designed for adults (18+) who are curious about stargazing but don't know where to start. If you enjoy spending time outdoors and want a fun, low-stakes way to learn how to navigate the night sky, we hope you'll join us!
No prior astronomy experience or equipment is required; however, if you do have binoculars or a portable telescope, please bring them.
Workshop Details:
When
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Back-up weather date:
Thursday, March 26, 2026
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Where
MSU Bozeman (TBD building and room #)
Free parking in Bobcat Lot #13 after 6pm
Registration Fee
$25
Instructor
Rhiannon Fleming is an outreach educator with Academic Technology and Outreach at MSU. She recently graduated with her Masters of Science in Science Education and focused on solar physics research for the past 4 years. Prior to moving to Montana, Rhiannon earned her Bachelors in Meteorology. She is passionate about Earth and Space Sciences. In her free time, Rhiannon rock climbs, cross country skis, and knits.
About MSU After Hours
After Hours invites Bozeman’s adult community to MSU’s campus on weekday nights for fun, social learning experiences, each with an interactive or hands-on component. Workshops are short format (1.5 - 2 hours) experiences with no prerequisites or pre-work required.
Questions
Contact Kelsye Gould, Continuing Education Program Manager, at 406-994-3062, kelsye.gould@montana.edu.
| Fee: | $25.00 |
MSU Bozeman - Barnard Hall
View the location on a map.Rhiannon Fleming
Rhiannon Fleming is an outreach educator with Academic Technology and Outreach at MSU. She recently graduated with her Masters of Science in Science Education and focused on solar physics research for the past 4 years. Prior to moving to Montana, Rhiannon earned her Bachelors in Meteorology. She is passionate about Earth and Space Sciences. In her free time, Rhiannon rock climbs, cross country skis, and knits.