Intro to Observational Astronomy
http://www.physics.nau.edu/~koerner/ast181/syllabus

General Information

College of Arts and Sciences; Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
Course Prefix 100858; Course Number AST 181
Fall Semester 2002
Meeting Time: F 7:30-10:00 (1 Credit Hours) Location: PS 218 or Campus Observatory
Instructor: Dr. Dave Koerner
Office Address: Physical Sciences (bldg 19) 315
Office Hours: 3pm-4pm MW or by appointment
Office Phone: 928-523-4562
Course Prerequisites: AST 180 (corequisite)

Course Description:

This course serves as an introuction to observational astronomy. We will be concentrating on the night sky and the use of small telescopes when the sky is clear, and on exploring the motions of astronomical objects and other key concepts when the sky is cloudy. When paired with the lecture course, Astronomy 180, the four-hour laboratory science component of liberal studies is satisfied.
Course Structure/Approach:
Students will learn to: a) Point out the brightest stars and principal constellations in the night sky, b) use a small telescope to examine planets and othe bright objects, c) predict positions of the moon, sun, and planets on a given date, and d) sketch the daily and annual motions of the sun and other astronomical objects.

We will meet outside at the Campus Observatory almost every time that it is clear. Please DRESS WARMLY. Observatories are never heated because the rising of warm air blurs astronomical images.

Textbook and required materials: Laboratory Manual for Astronomy 181

Course Outline (approximate and subject to weather constraints):

  • Week 1 (Aug 30) -- Course Overview

  • Week 2 (Sep 06) -- Celestial Sphere

  • Sep 09 is last day to add the class

  • Week 3 (Sep 13) -- Finding things in the Sky

  • Week 4 (Sep 20) -- Constellations

  • Sep 20 is last day to drop/delete the class

  • Week 5 (Sep 27) -- Introduction to the Telescope

  • Week 6 (Oct 02) -- Using Planetarium Software

  • Week 7 (Oct 11) -- Seaons

  • Week 8 (Oct 18) -- Lunar Motion

  • Week 9 (Oct 25) -- Using Setting Circles

  • Oct 25 is last day to drop the class with a ``W''

  • Week 10 (Nov 01) -- Angular Measurement

  • Week 11 (Nov 08) -- Harvest Moon

  • Week 12 (Nov 15) -- Telescope Observations of the Moon

  • Week 13 (Nov 20) -- The Analemma

  • Nov 28-29 is Thanksgiving Holiday

  • Week 15 (Dec 02-06) -- Kepler's Laws

  • December 12 -- 8:00 pm Final Exam

    • Evaluation Methods and Deadlines:
  • Lab Reports -- Most but not all lab projects will involve lab reports. These should be turned in at the end of the lab period; however, if you need extra time, you may turn them in as late as 5:00 pm on the following Wednesday. There will be some lab assignments given as take-home projects; these are to be completed outside of class and turned in as directed.

  • Quizzes -- Typically there will be a weekly quiz on the material covered in the previous week's lab. Each quiz will consist of one or two short essay questions on the most important concepts. There will be a short-answer exam as a final. The final will meet during finals week at 8:00 pm on Friday night.
  • Grading System -- Grade will depend on Lab-reports:Quizzes:Final in the following ratio - 60:20:20.

    • Course Policy
  • Retests/makeup tests -- Written medical excuse required.

  • Statement on plagiarism and cheating -- This course requires professional and ethical behavior. Plagiarism, or any form of cheating, violates this principle and will not be tolerated. The University regards acts of academic dishonesty as very serious offenses. Students charged with academic dishonesty are subject to the Arizona Board of Regents Code of Conduct and Procedures established by NAU.