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Astronomy 102, Fall 2003

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Astro 102 Labs

A Tour of the Sky

The Celestial Sphere

The Telescope

How the Labs Work

Labs To Do

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Astronomy 102 Labs To Do

Fall Semester 2003

You will complete the following labs with the following due dates. Below is more information about the exact due dates, and links to the detailed description of each lab.

Some labs will be evaulated each time the observing log is graded. You will be expected to have some observations completed for each of these by the first two grading periods, as detailed in the "Due Date" section of each lab, and (of course) the whole program complete by the third grading.

The total points each lab will be worth is listed below. Those points may be spread out between multiple lab gradings; sometimes, some of the points must be done by an early lab grading date. If you fail to earn them by that earlier due date, those points from that lab will no longer be available to you. The total number of points the lab is worth is nominally 300 points. However, we may reduce that value if poor weather during the semeseter makes it impossible for a diligent student to complete all the labs. In this case, your score out of the new total of points available will be rescaled to 300 points for purposes of computing your lab grade.

Exactly which parts of the labs must be completed by the various due dates are described with each lab. However, weather may force changes in this; if so, we will be sure to inform you before each observing log due date.

Naked Eye Labs

All of the naked eye labs require repeated observations over a period of time. Start now! If you put this off too long, it will be impossible for you to obtain an adequate set of observations for some of these labs.

Since these labs do not require the telescope, you may make observations on your own time; see "Time commitment and Time Budgeting for the Labs". You may use time during the lab periods performing these naked eye labs, but you will be expected to supplement those observations with observations made on your own time if that is necessary to adequately perform the lab. See About Being a Responsible Student below.

You only need to do either the Sunset or the Moon's Orbit labs, not both.

Lab Due Date Total Points
Constellations & Star Names Oct 3. / Oct. 31 30
Rotation of the Sky Oct. 3 / Oct. 31 30
Mars' Orbital Motion Oct. 3 / Oct. 31 / Dec. 10 40
Sunset or Moon's Orbit Oct. 3 / Oct. 31 / Dec. 10 30

Telescope Labs

Note that proficiency with the telescope is not a lab per se, but is expected within about three weeks of lab sessions, and will be evaluated in a telescope practical exam 3-4 weeks into the semester.

You are only required to do either the "Star Hopping" or "Spectroscopy" lab, not both.

Lab Due Date Total Points
Field of View Oct. 3 30
Mars Lab Oct. 31 40
Uranus Lab Oct. 31 30
Moon Lab Dec. 10 40 (20 for Monday and Tuesday)
Star Hopping or Spectroscopy Dec. 10 30 (15 for Monday and Tuesday)

Web-Based Labs

Lab Due Date Total Points
Sunspot Lab Dec. 10 35 (For Monday Tuesday Labs Only!)

(No, this lab may not be done for extra credit if you are in the Monday or Wednesday sections!)

Advanced, Extra-Credit Labs

Advanced, extra-credit lab will test your observational and data analysis skills. They aren't worth as many points for the same amount of effort as the regular labs, but give you the opportunity to make up points you may have lost earlier, or to further your observing skills if you complete the regular labs. You cannot get credit for any of these labs unless you complete the regularly assigned labs. Note, however, that one of them (the Uranus Orbit lab) requires observations spaced over several weeks, so if you think you might do it you will need to get started on it soon.

All of these labs are telescope labs. If you do the second of the Star Hopping and Spectroscopy labs for extra credit, indicate clearly to the TA which one is to be graded as the regular lab, and which as the extra credit lab. (Otherwise, the TA will pick whichever one is easier to grade as your regular lab, and will not grade the one you did for extra credit.)

Lab Due Date Total Points
Spectroscopy or Star Hopping Dec. 10 10
Uranus Orbit Dec. 10 10
Sunspot Lab Dec. 10 10 (For Wednesday Only)

IMPORTANT: About Being a Responsible Student

We rely on your ability to do some lab activities on your own time, without supervision, over a period of weeks. Additionally, you need to pace yourself, be aware of what needs to be done over the course of the semester, and do the work that you need to do when the lab does meet. You will not be assigned to do a specific lab on a specific night; you just must get all the labs done by the due dates.

The astronomy lab will be a much more valuable learning experience if you show a reasonable level of reponsability and if you keep on top of things. It is very easy to ignore the astronomy labs until a deadline is looming close. This will not work since several labs require repeated observations over several weeks and that you can count on weather not cooperating. Slacking off and being foiled by bad weather is a sure method to get a poor lab grade. Moreover, you will find out that if you've let the lab slide during those weeks when the lab was cancelled, you will have all of those weeks worth of work to do at the last minute....

On the other hand, you may complete the assigned labs and be done with the whole thing before the end of the semester, if you are so inclined. Remember that the weather will get worse during November and December (Fall semester) and that you should do as much as possible before the end of October. During the Spring semester, don't despair: It should get better in March and April. We will give you plenty of reminders but the astronomy lab is an opportunity to prove that you can behave responsibly (at least when it matters!).



All Labs

Some of the labs below aren't assigned this semester, perhaps because the planet in question isn't overhead during the right months, or simply because we didn't want to ask too much!

General information (not specific graded labs)

These aren't graded labs, but do describe activites that are part of some of the labs, or that will help you learn what you need to know for the Telescope and Constellation practicals.

Naked-Eye Labs

Telescope Labs

Web-Based Labs


Last modified: 2003-November-17, by Robert A. Knop Jr.

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