This series of discussions and practical sessions will introduce participants to the fascinating universe of astronomy as a popular leisure activity. Students will become familiar with observing a wide variety of interesting objects and navigating the night sky using our eyes, binoculars or a small telescope. No equipment is required except a notebook and pen. These sessions assume little or no previous knowledge and will provide a sound foundation of basic knowledge and observing experience.

William Joyce BSc, BSc, C.Phys., M.Inst.P., has taught introductory, intermediate and advanced astronomy and planetary science courses for many years. He is involved with public outreach, gives geology, meteorites, and rocketry workshops, telescope observing sessions, and has delivered planetarium shows for schools and space-related events.

William has research experience involving remote sensing satellites, and an industrial career in laboratories, spacecraft software engineering, and aerospace systems engineering. William returned to academia at Birkbeck, University of London, where he worked in geophysics and planetary science subjects, lecturing, teaching assistant roles, and involvement in new course materials development and delivery.

William gives talks to interested groups at all levels from schools to universities, locally, around the UK, and abroad. He produces a range of astronomy and planetary science courses designed to bring these subjects to the general public in an engaging, up-to-date, and easily understood way.