Astronomy 220ap - Topics in Astronomy-Astrophotography and Dark Skies

T-Astrophotography& Dark Skies

Spring
2026
01
4.00
James Daniel Lowenthal

W 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Smith College
AST-220ap-01-202603
McConnell 407
jlowenth@smith.edu
This course uses modern digital cameras and a variety of techniques to image the sky. Students make star trails, nightscapes, and time lapse videos of constellations and the Milky Way, and use telephoto lenses and telescopes on tracking mounts to image planets and take long time exposures of galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. Students learn image processing skills using a variety of software programs. Light pollution is growing rapidly worldwide – 10% per year. The course studies how to measure and assess outdoor lighting and light pollution, and engages with dark sky advocacy through research and hands-on projects. Prerequisite: AST 103 or AST 113. Enrollment limited to 15. (E)

[CE] AST 103 or 113

Permission is required for interchange registration during the add/drop period only.
Link to Campus Courses
Back to the Five College Course Schedule