Variable Stars Lectures + Word-Excel
Variable Stars Lectures
[July 2023 – …]
Discover the world of variable stars with the Clear Skies Foundation!
Variable Stars Lectures (VSL) is an educational course on variable stars that opens the door to real scientific research. The programme combines theory and practice, allowing everyone – whether a school pupil, amateur or student – to get involved in working with astronomical data and international projects.
Why join
- Accessibility – the course is designed for a wide audience, no specialised education is required.
- Practical approach – from the very first lessons, you will not only listen to lectures, but also complete assignments, analyse data, and test yourself.
- International projects – graduates have the opportunity to join AstroLab and Star Hunters research projects.
- Certificate – official confirmation of your knowledge and skills necessary for further scientific activity.
Learning format
➢ 17 video lectures + interactive Google forms
- short videos with explanations;
- additional materials and answers to frequently asked questions;
- self-assessment tests.
➢ Scoring system
- each correct answer in the tests is worth 1 point;
- the maximum score is 100 points;
- to get a certificate, it is required to complete all lectures and score at least 60 points.
➢ Final test
a final knowledge check with combined tasks (multiple choice + detailed answers).
➢ Participant certificate
- official confirmation of course completion;
- allows participants to join CSF research projects.
Agenda
The course covers all the way from basic concepts to practical analysis of real observations:
- Introductory lesson
- Stars and their features
- Hertzsprung-Russell diagram
- What is a variable star?
- Classification of variable stars
- Photometric observations and light curve
- TESS and Ukrainian astronomy
- Eclipsing variable stars
- Rotating variable stars
- Pulsating variable stars
- Variable star databases
- Downloading TESS observations
- Light curve and further analysis
- Analysis of variable star observations: Splitter and MAVKA
- Calculation of exoplanet parameters
- Matter flow in stars
- Binary stars that turned out to be triple
- Final test
Who is this course for?
- High school and university students – to experience real science.
- Amateur astronomers – to move from observations to data analysis.
- Future participants of CSF projects – to gain the necessary knowledge and access to research.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the course take?
➔ You study at your own pace, and the course itself is designed to take a month.
When are the lessons available?
➔ Video lectures, assignments, a forum, and the opportunity to receive a certificate are available at any time.
Do I need any prior experience in astronomy?
➔ No. The material is presented in an accessible way, starting from the basics.
What will I get after the course?
➔ A certificate upon completion of all course tasks + the opportunity to join CSF research projects.
Is this course available for free?
➔ Yes, the course is open to everyone. All you need to complete it is a stable Internet connection, your willingness, and a sincere interest in astronomy.
How to join
- Fill in the registration form.
- Pass the course and complete the assignments.
- Get a certificate and join research projects.
Variable Stars Lectures is more than just learning. This is the first step into real science!
Word-Excel
Word-Excel is a short course on using Microsoft Word and Excel. It covers information necessary for completing our research projects and is useful for work, study, etc.
Why join
- Accessibility – the course is designed for a wide audience, no specialised education is required;
- Practical approach – after watching just three informative videos, you take tests to reinforce the skills you have learned;
- Versatility – the knowledge you gain can be used in many different areas of life: study, work, hobbies;
- Certificate – official confirmation of completion of the course.
Who is this course for
Anyone looking to dive into the world of Microsoft Word and Excel and develop their skills in using them. This mini-course is also mandatory for participants in our research projects.
Curriculum
The course consists of three videos covering the following topics:
Learning format
➢ 3 video lectures + Google form
➢ Points system
- each correct answer in the tests is worth +1 point;
- the maximum score is 20 points;
- to receive a certificate, it is required to complete all lectures and score at least 12 points.
➢ Participant certificate
- is an official confirmation of course completion;
- allows participants to join CSF research projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch the videos after completing the course?
➔ Yes, they are available for free on our YouTube page.
How many attempts are given to pass the tests?
➔ Only one attempt! However, you can spend as much time watching the videos as you personally need and then take the tests.
Is this course suitable for beginners with little to no prior experience with Word and Excel?
➔ Yes, it will be useful for people of any experience level in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Are there any other mandatory courses to participate in the projects?
➔ To participate in the Star Hunters and AstroLab projects, you need to take the VSL course mentioned above.
Can I take the course at my own pace, or are there any deadlines?
➔ You can take the course at your own pace, the main thing is to have a stable Internet connection and your willingness to learn!
How to join
- Fill in the registration form.
- Take the course and complete the tasks in the form.
- Get a certificate of completion.
Join the course and learn Word and Excel with CSF!