Cosmos - Astronomy Camp

Are you curious about the Universe? Cosmos is a camp where you'll step into the role of astronomers and get to use big remote telescopes to take images and analyse them, just like real astronomers do. You'll also go on quests, using satellite data to track down answers to challenges, and if the weather cooperates, use telescopes to look safely at the Sun.
This camp includes a field trip to the Von Braun Astronomical Society on Monte Sano to learn about how we see the sky in their planetarium, learn about amateur telescopes and get a tour of the observatories.
🔭 Control real robotic telescopes using professional online observatories such as Slooh or Las Cumbres Observatory
🌍 Schedule observations from telescopes located in other parts of the world to image objects visible during Alabama daylight hours
🌙 Capture and analyze detailed images of the Moon, identifying craters, maria, and surface features—and investigating how they formed
☀️ Safely observe the Sun
📈 Track sunspots over multiple days (when present) and look for changes over time
🌈 Use handheld spectroscopes to examine light from different sources and compare spectra
🖥️ Process astronomical images using real analysis techniques (stacking, contrast, feature identification)
🚌 Take a field trip to the Von Braun Astronomical Society to:
Tour observatory facilities
Learn how large telescopes work
Explore the night sky in the planetarium
What Students Will LEARN
🪐 How astronomers study planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and other cosmic objects
🔬 How telescopes work—optics, sensors, filters, and why different telescopes exist
💡 How light carries information, including:
Brightness, Color, Motion, Composition
Class Format
The day is divided into learning blocks of 60-90 minutes with breaks, lunch and plenty of other enrichment activities built in!
Suggested age range: 11-15
Sibling and Multi Camp discounts available.
Extended pickup time available at checkout.