ASTRONOMY LABORATORIES AND COURSES AT RICE THAT USE THE NEW CAMPUS OBSERVATORY
1. LABORATORIES (these make extensive use of the observatory)
ASTR 221 OBSERVING THE NIGHT SKY Credits 1.00
Use of small telescopes and binoculars to study constellations, bright stars, planets and the
sun at the campus observatory and at dark-sky sites. Modern analog and digital techniques will
be used along with direct visual observation. Intended for students in academic programs.
Prerequisites: One of ASTR 100, ASTR 201, ASTR 202.
NOTE: Primarily intended for students in non-SE disciplines.
ASTR 230 ASTRONOMY LAB Credits 3.00
This course gives students hands-on experience operating telescopes, and obtaining and analyzing
digital astronomical images and spectra. Lectures introduce students to the motions of stars
and planets in the night sky, describe the coordinate systems, telescopes and instruments that
astronomers use, and show how astronomical data are analyzed. A final observing project chosen
by the student may make use of the facilities at George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park
south of Houston or our own telescopes at Rice. No prereqs, though some astronomy and Unix
experience is helpful. Required for astrophysics majors.
NOTE: This lab is primarily intended for students majoring in science and engineering and will
be offered in Spring’04.
ASTR 430 TEACHING ASTRONOMY LABORATORY Credits 3.00
Methods and facilities of observational astronomy for public education.
Prereq- ASTR 230, ASTR 350, or permission of instructor.
Note: This lab is primarily intended for public school teachers and students interested in a
career in teaching.
2. Introductory Astronomy Courses (includes some field trips to the observatory in the curriculum).
ASTR 100 EXPLORING THE COSMOS Credits 1.00
Introduction to concepts and methods used in astronomy and astrophysics, with a theme of
"Astrobiology – Life in the Universe." Will include student presentations and web page
development. For first-year students intending to major in science or engineering.
Corequisite: PHYS 101 or PHYS 111.
ASTR 201 STARS, GALAXIES, AND THE UNIVERSE Credits 3.00
* DISTRIBUTION & RESTRICTED DISTRIBUTION COURSE: GROUP III
An introductory course for students in academic programs. The formation, evolution, and death of
stars; the composition and evolution of galaxies; the structure and evolution of the universe.
ASTR 202 EXPLORATION OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM Credits 3.00
* DISTRIBUTION & RESTRICTED DISTRIBUTION COURSE: GROUP III
An introductory course for students in academic programs, surveying the sun, planetary motions,
Interplanetary fields and plasmas, the planets, their satellites and rings, and comets. The
purposes and methods of manned and unmanned solar system exploration are also discussed.