-on observation, and a deeper understanding of our place in the cosmos.
What the Workshop Covered
The workshop began with a guided overview of amateur astronomy fundamentals. We learned how to recognize major celestial objects, understand seasonal sky patterns, and locate stars, nebulae, and planets across the night sky. The instructors also demonstrated the basics of astrophotography, showing how different telescopes and camera systems capture details that the human eye cannot see.
A Night on the Observation Deck
The experience included dinner followed by private telescope viewing on Chabot’s observation deck. Standing beside the historic telescopes and capturing real-time images of celestial objects made the night feel both scientific and magical.
A Journey Through the Planetarium
We also watched the seasonal night-sky program in the planetarium, which beautifully illustrated how Earth fits into the broader structure of the Milky Way and the universe. The immersive visuals made the workshop’s theme, unveiling our place in the universe, feel especially meaningful.

Identifying Asteroids

One of the most interesting parts of the workshop was learning how to identify asteroids. The instructors explained how to distinguish these small, rocky objects from stars and background galaxies by observing their slow motion over time. They also showed how astrophotographers use multiple exposures to reveal an asteroid’s path across the sky. Seeing this process in action highlighted how dynamic our solar system truly is and how much there is to discover even with amateur equipment.

Future Opportunities

Although this specific workshop has concluded, Chabot Space & Science Center frequently offers new astronomy and astrophotography programs throughout the year. Their online calendar is the best way to stay updated on upcoming events.

For more information go to https://chabotspace.org/

Attending this workshop deepened my love for astronomy and strengthened my interest in astrophotography. Learning how to identify celestial objects, including asteroids, reminded me how dynamic and accessible the universe becomes when we take the time to look closely.