The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s next Weekend University class on April 6 will teach central Arkansans the basics of stargazing.

Darrell Heath, past president of the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society, will lead the discussion from 1:30-3 p.m. at UA Little Rock Downtown, 333 President Clinton Ave. The cost is $15.

Participants will learn how to explore the cosmos from their own backyards and find out what can be seen in the sky with the unaided eye or a simple pair of binoculars. Heath will teach attendees how to identify constellations, observe the moon and planets, and use star maps and planispheres.

He will also will discuss why the night sky changes over time, and he will lead viewers through the “celestial zoo” in order to appreciate the diversity of objects that exist in the night sky.

Weekend University, part of the university’s Extended Education program, is led by UA Little Rock faculty and staff.

Heath, who works in UA Little Rock’s biology department, is the host, writer, and producer for the UA Little Rock television series “The Night Sky” and is a volunteer with the NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory Solar System Ambassador program.

Registration is available online. For more information, contact Christine Cotton, director of Extended Education, at cecotton@ualr.edu.

Photo: Darrell Heath hosts “The Night Sky” on UA Little Rock Television.