Mapping the Motion of Mars in the Sky
Follow the instructions in the Mapping the motion of a planet in the sky lab. For Mars in the Fall of 2003, you will need a 200% blow-up of the SC001 star chart (the long one) around the region of Capricorn/Aquarius/Pisces. Observe the position of Mars at least every week.
NOTE! Do not record your Mars observations on the chart long which reads "SC001 Constellation Chart" at the top! Record them on the 200% blow-up of that chart, which you were given the first day in class! You will be docked points for recording your observations on the long chart.
When to begin: As soon as possible. If you do not begin within about the first week of the term, you won't be able to complete all the observations required by the first logbook due date.
Due Date: The lab is finally due on December 4, the last day your observing log is turned in for grading. By this date, you must have completed all of the observations and questions. However, because this lab requires observations throughout the semester for meaningful results, you must have completed at least four observations by the October 3 due date, and at least eight observations by the October 31 due date. Observations should be spaced by approximately five days to a week (given the limiations imposed by weather); four observations made during the week the lab is due will not cut it. For the first two due dates, you must have logs of the observations you've made, including steps 1-3 in the procedures and steps 1-3 in the lab report (for the observations you've made).