Life Itself is an Astronomical Journey!
Astronomy and its impact on life!
Astronomy affects everyone's life, even if they don't think about it. The changing seasons, dictated by Earth's orbit around the Sun guide everything from agriculture to our daily routines. The Sun’s power is essential for growing crops and sustaining life. Planetary movements also determine how we structure time—days, months, and years—and influence everything from vacation plans to when we host events like summer outings. Even predicting weather patterns, which directly impact daily activities, relies on meteorology, an offshoot of astronomical science. In reality, we all unknowingly use astronomy in our everyday lives.
This cosmic influence shapes the calendar, allowing us to plan for holidays, planting, and travel. Moreover, technologies like GPS and satellites, which we rely on for navigation and communication, depend on our understanding of space. Understanding the importance of astronomy fosters a deeper connection with the universe and the systems we rely on for survival.
We need to protect our home here on Earth, and fight against pollution of any kind including light pollution and satellite interference. If we dont protect our home, we will be forced to seek refuge on some other rock orbiting somewhere in the universe. Save our home on Earth and preserve our "Ozark Natural Skies".
Aerospace and Astrophysical Courses
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
ASO will offer a cource and graduate certificate in "Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology" the near future once we finish setting up our aerospace academy online portal. Learn about the atmosphere and its properties including weather phenomena and meterology. Learn how gases and liquids act under pressure fluctuations and temperatures changes, and about how the element affect the viscosities of fluids.
Citizen Scientist and Astronomers
Our "ASO Citizen Scientist and Astronomers" will be trained to conduct experiments in astronomical sciences in the Ozark Region. ASO members will help the astronomical community at large with experimental astronomy that leads to discoveries. One area of scientific study will be asteroid, meteor and meteorite impacts on Earth.
Remote Sensing Satellites
We will offer a course in building citizen science satellite projects for astronomical viewing in space. ASO student groups will manufactor and assemble small 1U, 2U, and 3U scientific astronomical cubesats using 3D printing technology and off the shelf parts into a structure that will resist the physics of space. ASO will assit members in getting the satellite launched if possible by donations on a "rocket into space campaign" on a future date. The Cubesat that is shown is an exact replica of what students will build and operate.
Astronomical and Space Technology Courses
Using Astronomical Instruments
ASO will offer a cource and graduate certificate in "Astronomical Instrumentation". Students will learm how to operate a telescope, its mechanisms, collomization, and general repair. They will also learn about sextants, astrolabes, solar clocks and dials, and they will be taught how to use them and adjust their settings for accurate measurements.
Building and Repairing Telescopes
Our ASO students will train to conduct classes and experiments in building their own telescope from scratch using modern techniques. Students will learn about the history of the telescope and building techniques used in the past, optical sciences, design, manufactoring and assembly techniques.
Building Model Rockets
Our ASO students will be educated to design, assemble and experiment in building their own model rocket from scratch using modern techniques. Students will learn about the history of rockets and building techniques used in the past, model rocket design, manufactoring and assembly techniques, rocket launching and safety measures, fire safety in the Ozarks, and vehicle recovery. We will be using various sizes of "Estes" model rocket kits to assemble and launch. If you have a favorite one, click on the picture to go the the Estes site to learn about one.
Astrophotography Fundamentals
Our ASO students will be educated to operate astronomy video and photo cameras, and computer programs that edit and post astronomy videos online. They will learn on actual high grade and low grade astronomical equipment and learn to take great photos and videos of the sky and especially during local astronomical events. They will also will learn about astronomy applications and software for computers and cell phones, like Stellarium and Google Sky, and they will be shown how to use them for astronomy sessions.
Introduction to Astronomy and its History
Our ASO students will be educated in the history of astronomy, its roots from astrology, famous astronomers, famous telescopes and observatories, how astronomy changed over the years, how astronomy affected the world overall, historical astronomy vs. modern astronomy, human historical beliefs and customs, and the practice of astronomy as a profession and career. Archaeo-Astronomy, or Cultural Astronomy and its relation to astronomy and archaeology will also be discussed, the history of standing stone circles around the world, and native american tribal astronomy.
Planetary Sciences and Geological Studies
Our ASO students will be educated in planetary sciences. This course will delve into planetary sciences and how it relates to Earth and the other planets in our solar sytem. We will teach subjects about the geology, oceanology, vulcanism, atmospheric sciences, and the astronomical facts about each planet, its physical properties, orbits, and gravitational effects .
History of NASA and the Space Program
Our ASO students will be educated in the history of NASA and its space missions. We will inform them about NASA Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Space Shuttle, and the modern Orion program. We will also introduce students to todays modern space industry and space force, NASA careers in astronomy and astrophysics, commercial space, and future program outlooks in the space industry.
NASA Robotics and Space Missions
Our ASO students will be educated in the science of robotics and how NASA uses autonomous robots to explore other planets. Students will work on real robotic vehicles assembled from kits, and will have a mission contest between members for assembling the best robots. A competition will be held to demonstrate the abilities of the both robots and the students to solve a task like they would on a real NASA mission.
Remote Sensing and Viewing with Drones
Our ASO students will be educated in the science of modern drone technology and operations. Students will be taught to pass the "FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot-small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (sUAV) license, or obtain a recreational certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for small unmanned drones. The students will have simulated missions using a drone that will prepare the student for remote sensing technology used by NASA, and will give them some experience in operating autonomous flying vehicles in a remote location. Note: Students must be at least 13 years old to legally operate a drone under federal regulations, or to be licensed to operate a drone.
Astronomy Software and Basic Computer Programing
Our ASO students will be educated in the science of astronoy software and its use. Students will learn how to install astronomy sofware and basic computing techniques used in programing robots, satellites, and telescope to serve a function and support a mission. Students will learn about attaching periferals like cameras, guide scopes, gps, and other instruments to a computer, and how to install the software and to operate devices.
Aerospace Gaming and Job Positions
Our ASO students will be educated in the science of aerospace gaming, space simulations and simulators, FAA positions as "Air Traffic Controllers", or "Mission Controllers" for an aerospace organization. Fast responses and correct manuvers are essentual in becoming an Air Controller or NASA Astronaut. NASA and other space organizations use simulations and game like mission senarios in physical moving simulators to train astronauts to react to mission situations and gain spacial and situational awareness. Drone pilots could also benefit from this course to develope hand and eye coordination. Students will also compete in a space game senario online to finish the course, and the winners will receive bragging rights and a certificate of achievement.
Space Based Agriculture and Farming Techniques
Our ASO students will be educated in the science of space based agriculture and farming techniques. One part is Earth based farming to supply foods for the space program, canning and preservation techniques, and the other part includes farming in space, growing crops in hydroponics and soil based mediums, storage of food in space, feezing and freeze drying techniques. Students qwill build and maintain a soil and hydroponic farm in an enclosed facility and raise a vegatable of their choice.
