Astrotourism Online Course

This is a free, short online course that is designed for individuals/tour guides/business who wish to expand their knowledge of the night sky. The course provides a balance of foundational astronomy, cultural storytelling, sustainable practices, and hands-on guiding skills. No prior scientific background is needed. By the end of this course, guides/individuals will be able to interpret celestial phenomena, explain astronomical concepts in simple terms, and facilitate engaging stargazing experiences.

Outcomes:

  • Expand their knowledge of the night sky
  • Understand foundational astronomy
  • Engage in cultural storytelling related to astronomy
  • Promote and practice sustainable and eco-friendly astrotourism through dark sky preservation
  • Plan and run safe and engaging night sky tours
  • Consolidate learning and demonstrate competence in astrotourism

Disclaimer: Preview Edition

This is a free teaser snippet from our upcoming course, Astrotourism for Development. The full course will be available on The Open University’s OpenLearn platform in the coming days – stay tuned for the launch link! In the meantime, sign up for updates (here) to get notified first.

Adapted from content created for OpenLearn (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). For the complete experience, visit openlearn.open.ac.uk once live.

Course Outline

Office of Astronomy for Development
  • Introduction
  • Global Footprint
  • Impact and Scale
  • Astronomy and Sustainable Development Goals
  • Key Themes in Astronomy for Development
  • Theme 1: Sustainable, Local Socio-Economic Development through Astronomy
  • Theme 2: Science Diplomacy through Astronomy: Celebrating our Common Humanity
  • Theme 3: Knowledge and Skills for Development
Introduction to Astrotourism
  • What is Astrotourism?
  • Astrotourism Pillars
  • How Astronomy Enriches Tourism
  • Famous Astrotourism Destinations
  • Important Keywords
  • Overview of the Astrotourism Resources
Reading the Night Sky (Stars, Constellations, and Navigation)
  • What are stars?
  • What are Constellations and Recognising Major Constellations
  • Using Constellations for Orientation
  • Seasonal Sky Changes
  • Indigenous Perspective on Star Patterns
  • Celestial Events
  • Beginner Targets
Reading the Night Sky (Stargazing Tools and Techniques)
  • Naked-Eye Astronomy
  • Smartphone Apps for Stargazing
  • Using Binoculars (Basic Setup and Tips)
  • Telescopes (Basic Setup and Tips)
Reading the Night Sky (Cultural and Mythological Astronomy)
  • Ancient Astronomy: Myths, Legends, and Historical Significance
  • Indigenous Astronomical Knowledge (Local Star Lore)
  • Incorporating Stories into Tours (Ethical Considerations)
Designing an Astrotourism Experience (Light Pollution and Responsible Tourism)
  • Light Pollution
  • Impacts of Light Pollution
  • Dark Sky Friendly Lighting
  • Eco-Friendly Tourism
Designing an Astrotourism Experience (Planning and Running a Night Sky Tour)
  • Assessing Conditions for Stargazing
  • Monitoring Weather Conditions
  • Choosing an Activity
  • Logistics of the Activity
  • Safety Tips for Night Tours
Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Defining Key Terms
  • Basic Understanding of Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Types of Evaluation
  • Reasons to Evaluate
  • Constraints on Evaluation
Course Assignment
  • Course Assignment