Wonders of the Winter Night Sky
Physics & Astronomy | Available
Wonders of the Winter Night Sky
Despite the chilly weather, Winter is actually one of the best times for stargazing. The air is dry, and the sky is filled with some of the most recognizable constellations, including Orion the hunter, Taurus the bull, and Gemini the twins. In 2025, stargazers can easily spot the planets Jupiter, Venus and Mars, as well as the Orion Nebula and Pleiades star cluster, all without the need for a telescope. In this lesson with Dr. Valerie Rapson, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at SUNY Oneonta, you’ll learn how to navigate the constellations, and explore some of the fascinating science behind the objects visible in the Winter night sky.
You’ll also learn how to watch the upcoming lunar eclipse in the early morning hours of March 14th. After the lesson there will be Q&A time where you can ask any questions you like about astronomy and the night sky.
Course Date: Thursday, February 27th
Course Time: 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Course Location: SUNY Oneonta Extended and Community Learning Center, downtown Oneonta 2-4 Dietz Street location
Course Cost: Free
- This lesson is appropriate for highschoolers, and up and no prior astronomy knowledge is necessary!
Valerie Rapson
Bio: Dr. Rapson is an Astronomer and public outreach enthusiast who enjoys teaching people of all ages about science. She earned her Ph.D. in Astrophysical Sciences and Technology at RIT where her research focused on the chemical composition and structure of planet-forming disks around nearby young stars. Prior to joining the faculty at Oneonta, Dr. Rapson was the director of the Dudley Observatory in Albany, NY where she designed and taught astronomy education programs for children and adults. Currently, Dr. Rapson is an Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy here at SUNY Oneonta, and works with students on various research projects that utilize the telescopes at the College Camp Observatory.