Observations

Observing Night PowerPoint Presentation: PowerPoint or PDF

During the semester you will be required to attend at least one First Quarter Observing night, perform a Virtual Observation and write a 1^st Quarter Observations report and a Virtual Observations. If you do not attend a 1^st Quarter observing session, neither your 1^st Quarter Observations report nor your Virtual Observation report will be accepted (10% of grade). The First Quarter nights will be held at the telescope piers next to the handicapped parking in the Archwood parking lot if the weather permits or in SSC atrium if it is rainy. The dates are:

          First Quarter Nights

Virtual Observation

This does not require that you go outside and make any actual observations but instead do virtual observations using the internet. Below is a list of 50 objects to locate. For all the objects you must find and record what constellation it is in. Next, describe what type of object it is. The following are some, but not all, of the possibilities: planetary nebula, supernova remnant, black hole, quasar, emission nebula, absorption nebula, reflection nebula, spiral galaxy, elliptical galaxy, irregular galaxy, open cluster, globular cluster, double star or variable star. Finally, find the distance to the object and its apparent magnitude. Most, if not all, of the objects can be found using Google. On the web you might also try the Interactive NGC/IC Catalog Online (a link can be found in the Astronomy Links on the APSU Astronomy website). Put all the information you find into a neat table that can be easily read. Include a brief introduction and cover page with your Virtual Observations report. The Virtual Observations report is due Monday April 9

1^st Quarter Observing Report

After you have attended one First Quarter night you must do a report. The report should be typed with double line spacing. You may turn it in at any time but the reports will not be graded until after the due date. The report is due Monday April 9. LATE OBSERVING REPORTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!!

    The report should consist of two major parts. Part 1 should consist of information about the various telescopes you saw and used on the 1^st Quarter nights. This must include (but is not limited to): types, sizes and manufacturers of the telescopes; types of mounting systems the telescopes used; drawings of the optical systems of the telescopes (see Figures 5.7 on page 129 and 5.15 on page 134 of your text for the kinds of drawings) and, finally, observing aids and devices (i.e., CCD’s, cameras, filters, star maps, etc.). For additional information on the telescopes, check out the web sites of the various manufacturers. You can find links to them on the So You Wanna Buy a Telescope page of www.apsu.edu/astronomy. A PowerPoint presentation on telescopes, mounts and observing aids can also be found on www.apsu.edu/astronomy in the Observing Nights link.

Part 2 should consist of information about the celestial objects you saw on the 1^st Quarter night. This must include (but is not limited to): what were they (i.e., planet, star, nebula, cluster, etc.); their name (if known); other objects associated with them (i.e., moons of Jupiter or Saturn); their location (constellation they are in or "in the solar system, fifth planet from the sun..."); a brief description of the object and, finally, which telescope you saw them through. For additional information on the objects, check out the SEDS website or the Constellations Home Page on the Astronomy Links page of www.apsu.edu/astronomy. If the night you attended was cloudy, you are strongly encouraged to attend a second night that is clear to complete this part of the report.

Format for the Report

1. The cover page should include: your name, date of visit and a title.

2. Introduction. A brief summary of what the report is about. Probably one or two paragraphs in length.

3. Part 1: Telescopes, mounts and observing aids.

4. Part 2: Celestial objects viewed.

5. Conclusions. What did you learn? Was it worthwhile? Would you recommend that this be repeated every semester in the astronomy class? What can be done to improve it?

Grading:
Observing Night Attendance…3%                       Virtual Observation…3%
Observations Report…4%