Astronomy 221 Laboratory --- Rice University --- 2009 Fall Semester

OBSERVING THE NIGHT SKY

1. Introduction

This laboratory is intended to expose students in primarily academic (non-SE, although SE students are welcome) disciplines to astronomical observing techniques using small telescopes. In addition, students will learn about astronomical objects and the night sky (constellations, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and motions of the Earth and sun, moon, and planets. The lab combines outdoor and indoor activities: the indoor (non weather dependent!) aspects being weekly lectures and computer-assisted projects, but the real excitement of the lab is the experience of observing astronomical objects under dark skies and through telescopes for the first time. It is an experience that will remain with you throughout the rest of your life!

The lab is structured around students doing three projects: The first is the introductory (fun) lab “Observing the Night Sky” which will introduce you to the stars and constellations of the September/October sky as well as viewing the moon, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies with our computerized 16inch telescope at the campus observatory. Jupiter is visible in the evening sky in September/October (as well as Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto with a telescope). In addition, we will have one or more field trips to George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park and for insomniacs, we will have some early morning viewing sessions to see what the “spring sky” looks like and look at Mars, Saturn (really worth getting up for…!), Venus, and maybe even Mercury. The second project involves learning the basics of astronomy through weekly lectures and doing computer-based exercises in a workbook built around the planetarium simulation program THE SKY. This is an essential part of the lab since most students enrolled have not had any formal astronomy courses previously. Finally, the third project, which is your “final exam,” is to learn how to set up a small computerized “go-to” telescope and find various types of astronomical objects. You will have 24/7 access to two small computerized telescopes and are encouraged to take it out to a dark site outside Houston one night for some real observing!

The work load will average about 2-3 hours per week: one hour lectures (attendance mandatory for several key ones) and ~2 hours observing sessions (if the weather permits) or “homework” doing the exercises with The Sky program and answering questions in the workbook. Early on in the semester you should try to find a “partner” to do the observing (and even the computer exercises) with. Partnering with someone (or another group) who is (are) “mobile” (i.e., has a car) would be very useful for the third lab.

2. Prof & Texbook

Professor: Dr. Reginald J. Dufour

Office: Rm. 346 Herman Brown Hall

Telephone: X3348 (713-254-1476 cellular)

Email: rjd@rice.edu

Office Hours: 2-4PM MTuW (or email for an appointment)

Textbook: “How to Use a Computerized Telescope” (strongly urged to buy if you do not have an Astr 201/201 textbook.)

Software/Workbook: “The Sky Workbook” (required –buy new with the CD- since this is the second lab)

For the nighttime observing it is suggested that you buy a flashlight with a red filter (available at Wal-Mart, Academy, etc.) and bring a small lab notebook for taking notes while observing. Come prepared…!

Lab Web Site: http://galaxy.rice.edu/~rjd/astr221.html (a mirror site is http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~rjd/astr221.html)

You should routinely check this site for announcements, etc. This is very important given that some of the activities are weather-dependent. Checking the site on Mondays is the preferred procedure for being updated about lab matters for the week ahead.

3. Schedule

During the first week of classes we will have an important orientation meeting to set the times and night for the weekly lectures during the semester (detailed schedule to be given later). Below is an outline of the lab timelines and report due dates. To some extent the due dates on the observing labs (1 & 3) are weather dependent.

September

Students will begin the introductory lab (“Observing the Night Sky”) and we will have several lectures on the celestial sphere, telescopes, and observing techniques, including installing “The Sky” software. Most observing will be done at the campus observatory, but one or more Sunday night trips to George Observatory will be arranged in late September or early October. During cloudy (assigned) nights you should explore the “virtual night sky” using “The Sky” software on a Windows computer. A write-up report on the first lab will be due around mid-term.

October

Observing at the campus observatory continues with the write up on the first lab due late month. The lectures will concentrate on learning about the night sky and celestial motions indoors using “The Sky” software and doing the workbook exercises.

November

This is “prime” observing season (usually!) with weather more conducive to transparent skies and low humidity so we will begin the third lab whereby you will learn how to set up and use a small, computerized telescope (either a Meade ETX125 and/or ETX105) to automatically find and observe a variety of astronomical objects. What you will be learning here in the “Using a Computerized Telescope” lab are the same procedures we use with the bigger 16inch telescope (as well as the giant research telescopes). This lab requires at least two observing sessions; one with Dr. Dufour or the TA to learn how to set up and use the ETX telescope and a second “final exam” on-your-own observing session where you are expected to set up and use an ETX telescope without outside help. The second (indoor) lab also must be completed during November and the workbooks turned in for grading by Thanksgiving recess).

December

The laboratory concludes with the write up on the third lab normally due by the last day of classes. If the weather in November is judged by the prof to be poor, the due date for the last observing ab might be pushed back to the end of final exams. Note however, from the experience of previous years, such an extension will only be determined by weather or equipment problems (not student procrastination) and is unlikely to occur!

4. Grade**

The grading system is points-guaranteed:

>100 = Å+

90+ = Å- or higher

80-89 = B- to B+

70-79 = C- to C+

60+ for a pass (D- or higher)

Lab Values:

Introduction to Telescopes & Observing: up to 30 points + up to 5 points extra credit for observing at a dark site.

The Sky Workbook Exercises: up to 40 points.

Using a Computerized Telescope: up to 30 points + up to 5 points extra credit for observing at a dark site.

**How to screw-up this fun lab:

NOTE! Mother Nature gives us limited (~25%) good weather in the fall and if you guide your efforts by personal convenience rather than jumping to the telescope to take advantage of what opportunities the weather gives you, you are doomed to being disappointed and likely have a poor grade. Also, missing the lectures early on will impact your performance on the first lab if you have not had any previous astronomy courses.

Students with any disabilities that they feel may impact their ability to perform the required work for this laboratory should discuss this with Dr. Dufour (who, BTW, has a hearing disability). We will try to adjust the observing requirements appropriately and provide any special assistance desired.

RJD 8/8/2009, rev 8/26/2009