The essentials of astronomy: a beginner’s guide to the Universe

Course delivery and schedule

This Weekend Course includes 7 x 90-minute sessions delivered between Friday evening and Sunday lunchtime with plenty of opportunity for further conversations and networking during breaks and mealtimes.

Course programme

Friday

Please plan to arrive at Madingley Hall between 16:30 and 18:30. You can meet other course participants in the Terrace Bar which opens at 18:15. Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the study bedrooms.

Saturday

Sunday

Aims:

The course will allow you to:

• gain a deeper understanding of the methods of modern astronomy
• understand how and why astronomers use different regions of the spectrum
• gain an understanding of the types of astronomical objects we can see using different wavelengths

Summary of content:

Astronomy is the oldest science. For thousands of years, human beings have studied the lights in the night sky and tried to understand the workings of the cosmos. But for most of our history, our view has been limited. By observing the night sky with our eyes, we are only able to see the Universe in the wavelengths of light visible to our eyes. But visible light is only a small part of the entire electromagnetic spectrum.

Over the past century astronomy has become a 'multi-wavelength' science as astronomers have begun to study the sky using other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. And the results have been astounding. Each new type of light, from radio waves to the infra-red, has provided a whole new window to the cosmos revealing a Universe more weird and wonderful than we had ever imagined.

In this course we will look at the science of modern multi-wavelength astronomy. We will begin with long wavelength radio waves, move on to submillimetre and then infrared light, and finally on to optical astronomy. Along the way we will encounter rapidly spinning neutron stars, hidden distant galaxies, stellar nurseries, violent supermassive black holes, and much more.

Presentation of the course:

The course will involve lectures and group discussions.

As a result of the course, within the constraints of the time available, you should be able to:

• develop a foundational understanding of the frontiers of astronomy
• gain knowledge of the key concepts and current advancements in various branches of astronomy
• explore the interdisciplinary nature of modern astronomical research and its implications for our understanding of the universe
• examine the historical evolution and significance of radio astronomy
• acquire a comprehensive overview of the historical milestones in the development of radio astronomy
• understand the pivotal role of radio telescopes in advancing our understanding of celestial objects and phenomena
• explore the hidden submillimeter universe and infrared astronomy
• gain insights into the significance of studying the submillimeter universe and the role of infrared astronomy in revealing hidden aspects of cosmic phenomena
• understand the technologies and observational techniques employed to study celestial objects in the submillimeter and infrared wavelengths
• explore the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy
• understand the concept of dark matter and its implications for the structure and evolution of the universe
• examine the role of dark energy in the expansion of the universe and its influence on the large-scale structure of cosmic matter

Course materials:

Course materials include the course syllabus, detailed timetable, reading list and tutor biography. Once these materials are available, you can download them from the Documents section below. 

We will also email these to you before your course starts. Please check your spam folder if you have not received them.

Please note that our weekend courses are non-credit bearing and there is no formal assessment.

About Madingley Hall 

This weekend course takes place at Madingley Hall, home to the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education. Built in the 16th century, Madingley Hall is a Grade 1 listed building, and is set in eight acres of landscaped gardens designed in the 18th century by ‘Capability’ Brown. Madingley is just four miles from the centre of Cambridge, and only 60 minutes from London, with excellent links to London airports. 

As a student you will enjoy award-winning cuisine in our elegant Dining Hall and first-rate facilities in an atmospheric and inspiring setting. You can choose to stay at the Hall in comfortable en suite accommodation, or attend as a non-resident. 

Course delivery and format 

All courses follow a similar format: seven 1.5hr sessions delivered between Friday evening and Sunday lunchtime. The first course session takes place after dinner on Friday evening.   

There are four sessions on Saturday: two before lunch, one before dinner and one after dinner. There is a break on Saturday afternoon, just after lunch, offering time to rest, read, or explore Madingley Hall’s beautiful grounds. The final two sessions take place on Sunday morning, and the course finishes with lunch. 

Accommodation

Accommodation for those wishing to be resident is provided in single, double or twin study bedrooms, with views over the woods, garden and courtyard. 

Each room has internet access, a television and a direct-dial telephone, as well as tea- and coffee-making facilities and a safe for valuables. Rooms are all en suite and centrally heated. 

A lift gives access to two bedrooms adapted for wheelchair users, and all areas on the ground floor can be reached once inside the building.  If you would like us to make any special provision for your stay, please let us know when booking, and we will be happy to discuss your requirements. 

Non-student attendance 

Please note: accommodation spaces are limited and priority is given to course attendees. Non-residential places are available for those who live locally or who prefer to stay elsewhere. If space permits, non-student guests may accompany a course attendee for the weekend, paying the rate below for accommodation and meals.  

Fees 

Residential fees cover tuition, accommodation and meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch (a total of two breakfasts, two lunches, and two evening meals), as well as morning coffee and afternoon tea during teaching hours.  

Non-residential places are available for those who live locally or who prefer to stay elsewhere. Non-residential fees include tuition, lunches, evening meals, morning coffee and afternoon tea during teaching hours. (Non-residents wishing to purchase breakfast may do so on payment of the current rate to Reception before taking their meal.) 

If a residential student is sharing a room with someone who is not enrolled on the Weekend Course, guest accommodation and meal prices are subjected to 20% VAT. 

Course fees 

Accommodation fees (includes Friday and Saturday night with breakfast on Saturday and Sunday at Madingley Hall)

Supplementary items  

Accommodation for carers is provided free of charge, accommodation and meals for guests is subject to VAT.  

Any attendee sharing a room with a carer should contact intenq@ice.cam.ac.uk to discuss further details before the booking deadline. 

Extra nights 

If there is capacity, you can book to stay for the Sunday night after your course at the same weekend bed and breakfast rate. (Please note:  dinners are not provided on a Sunday evening.)   If you wish to arrive early (before Friday) you will need to make a separate booking with Madingley Hall. (Charges may differ.)  

Dietary requirements 

If you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies please indicate these when booking.  

Bursaries for teachers  

Our State School Teacher bursary offers 50% off tuition fees for any teacher with Qualified Teacher Status working in a UK state-funded school or further education institution.  

You will be asked to enter the name and contact details of the school when booking. 

Getting to Madingley Hall 

The Institute of Continuing Education is based at Madingley Hall (CB23 8AQ) in the village of Madingley, four miles west of Cambridge. It is easily accessible from the M11, A14 and A428. Other gateways include Cambridge Main Railway Station and London airports.   

If you are arriving in Cambridge by train you can take a taxi to Madingley Hall. Please contact Reception to book a taxi for your return journey.  

Parking 

Free on-site car parking is available and we have a small number of spaces close to the Hall entrance for Blue Badge holders. 

Booking a course 

To book a weekend course please click the Book Now button at the top of the course page. You will be taken to our secure bookings portal where you can set up an account using your email address, and pay for your course by credit or debit card. 

Payments 

Payment can be made by credit/debit card using our secure online booking system, unless otherwise arranged. You can either pay in full at the time of booking, or pay a 15% registration fee as a deposit; the balance will automatically be taken two weeks before the start of the course.  

Booking deadlines 

Bookings close 11 days before the start of the course. If your preferred course is full at the time of booking you can add yourself to a waiting list. You will be notified, by email, if a place becomes available. We recommend that you book early to avoid missing out. 

Booking terms and conditions 

Before booking your course, please ensure that you have read and understood our Booking terms and conditions.