Course Overview
In this laboratory course,
you will learn some of the basic ideas about how astronomy is done,
from the simplest naked-eye observations and calculations dating back
to ancient times, to modern methods of detecting light from the cosmos.
We'll use telescopes, make some actual astronomical measurements, learn
about the light and lore of the stars, see what we can see is different about planets from
stars, and take a good look at the Moon.
We will also be going outside. In the cold.
For up to three hours. Be prepared for it!
Learnsmart Information
Link to MONDAY SECTION ast101 Learnsmart Website
Link to WEDNESDAY SECTION ast101 Learnsmart Website
Learnsmart Program. We will be using
the McGraw-Hill Learnsmart Program for preparatory work this
semester. Participation in the assignments will count for a portion of
your lab grade, and prepare you for some of the concepts we discuss in
lab. Assignments will remain open for the duration of the term, but must be completed prior to the assigned week to count for your participation credit. We'll discuss more about Learnsmart in class.
Documents for Projects
Constellation
paper and list of constellations
Telescope Presentations Information
Moon Lab Photos
Planetarium Software
You may find it useful to be able to use planetarium software
outside of class. In class we will be using Starry Night Pro, a popular and
well-outfitted program. However,
for casual use out of class, you can
download and install the free
planetarium software Stellarium, available here.
The
latest version (0.10.2) was released 3/10/2009, see the Stellarium page for more
information. This open-source
software is used in some domes and is available for
Linux, Mac, and PC.
Assorted files and
Lecture Notes may be in portable data format (PDF) for which
you need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Most computers already have this program
installed. If you are having trouble viewing these files, the program
can be downloaded for free here. |
Course
News:
If you are registered for the
class, please be sure to show up for the first labs! Attendence is required, supplies
and setups limited, and demand is very high.
If you are not registered and wish to enroll, you must:
1) choose a section of lecture, ASTR-101 -01 or -02 and get on the waitlist;
2) choose one or both of the two lab sessions ASTR-101 -L01 or L02 and get on the waitlist
3) come to the first class of that section and see what happens.
Course
Needs:
Please obtain and bring to lab (by the first meeting if possible):
Lab notebook:
a comp book style or spiral bound GRAPH PAPER notebook,
with 4 or 5 squares to the inch. Comp book style preferred.
Book:
We do not have a separate book for the lab.
Scientific calculator:
Optional--you may find it useful to have a handheld calculator
capbable of trignometric, power, and log functions. We have enough
for at least one per group in class, and the computer calculator is
available, but some people like to have their own.
Pen and pencil:
Please bring both-notebooks are kept in pen but telescopic observations
and graphs should be sketched in pencil.
Office Hours & Contact info: Office hours:
6:30-7 pm Mondays and Wednesdays at the Observatory, other times by
appointment (e.g. 4-6 pm Mon, Wed). Contact info: (consult the MHC
or FCAD
directory).
My homepage.
Back to the Ast 100/101 course homepage.
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