Winter School of Astronomy And Astrophysics

You know that feeling when you step outside on a cold, clear night and look up at the stars? Everything feels bigger somehow. You start wondering about all those tiny lights—what are they really? How far away? Are there other worlds out there?

I used to have those thoughts and then just go back inside. But last year, I decided to do something about it.

Turning Curiosity Into Something Real

That's how I found the Winter School of Astronomy & Astrophysics by Propagation. I wasn't sure what to expect—could six weeks really teach me to understand space like real scientists do?

Turns out, yes. Absolutely yes.

Starting this October 2025 and running through December, the Winter School takes you on an amazing journey through space. Each week teaches you something new. First, you learn the basics of astronomy. Then you dive into how stars work and how they die. Week three is all about galaxies and the big questions—like how big is the universe and how did it start?

But here's where it gets really cool. Week four teaches you how to actually observe space, using the same methods real astronomers use. Week five brings in guest speakers who work with space data every day, showing you how to code and analyze what you find. If you want to keep going, you can spend up to eight weeks total working on your own research project.

Actually Doing Space Science

The best part? You don't just read about space—you get to work with real space data. The projects they give you aren't fake exercises. They're the same things real astronomers do.

I got to track stars that change brightness over time, connecting with a global network of star watchers through something called AAVSO. Using a program called Stellarium to plan when to look, I felt like a real space detective.

But the project that blew my mind was finding planets around other stars. They taught me to use Python coding in Google Colab, and I analyzed real data from NASA. When I found my first exoplanet—seeing that tiny dip in starlight when a planet passed in front of its star—I literally jumped out of my chair. That's a real world orbiting another sun, and I found it the same way professional planet hunters do.

There were other projects too: classifying different types of galaxies, tracking objects in our solar system. Each one used real tools like Aladin Sky Atlas and contributed to actual research through platforms like Zooniverse, where citizen scientists help process data that would take professionals years to get through alone.

Real People, Real Learning

The program is open to anyone curious about space—high school seniors, college students, graduate students, or just anyone who wants to learn. You apply with a short essay about why you're interested, and optionally get a recommendation letter.

Everything happens online with live sessions you can attend, plus recordings if you miss something. The community is incredible—people from all different backgrounds united by curiosity about the universe. They keep everyone connected through Instagram, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp groups where conversations continue between classes.

You get a certificate at the end, but honestly, that's not why you do it. You do it because suddenly you understand how we know what we know about space. When there's news about a new discovery, you don't just see a pretty picture—you understand the amazing detective work that revealed those secrets.

Why This Matters

This program changed how I see everything. I learned that the iron in my blood was made inside a dying star. That light from distant galaxies has been traveling to my eyes since before Earth even existed. That I'm part of something much bigger than I ever imagined.

In a world where we often feel divided, looking up reminds us what we share: one small planet around an ordinary star in a galaxy full of wonders we're just starting to understand.

The Winter School isn't just about learning science. It's about joining the human adventure of figuring out where we came from and where we're going.

Ready to look up and really see? The universe is waiting for you.