AST-1002

Section1069, Fall2017

Telescope Observing projectcheck list

Bring this list when you attend the session at the Campus Teaching Observatory

Please read the instructions for more details

  • Material to bring to the observatory: The first and second pages of the observing form and bring them to the observatory. You will need these pages to sketch and write notes about the objects. Bring pencil and eraser.
  • Location of the observatory: The observatory is located south of the Welcome Center, between the Physics building and the Aerospace Engineering building. The official address of the observatory is: 998 Sweetwater Dr, Building 67. A map of the observatory location is here:
  • When is the observatory open: The observatory is open on Fridays(and some Tuesdays) evening between 8:30 and 10:00 PM. The observatory closes at 10 PM sharp.

The schedule can be found here:

  • Weather conditions: If you have doubt about the sky conditions, call the observatory number 392-1016 for a recorded message after 8:00 PM. Do not call earlier. The current message is not recorded until 8 PM.
  • If it is raining, there islightning/thunder storm, tornado alert or bad weather, do not attempt to come. The observatory will be closed under these conditions.
  • Parking:Park in the parking lot south of the Welcome Center (south side of Museum Road). Go to the south west corner of the parking lot and walk down the hill. The observatory is a rectangular building surrounded by a wooden fence. Red lights are illuminating the path along the sidewalk leading to the observatory.
  • DO NOTdrive or park near or around the observatory. There is no enough space to park and you will shine the headlight to people looking through the telescopes. The area is for “Service Vehicles” only. You may get a ticket.

What to do at the observatory:

  • Sign the Visitor’s (or Guest) log book to keep a record of your attendance on that night. Type your name and the name of the instructor. This is very important in case you misplace the token.
  • Observe two objects. If more objects are available at the telescopes, take a look to all of them first and decide which of all the objects are best for the project. You can get advice from the staff members regarding the best objects.
  • You have to observe the objects through a telescope. Naked eye observations of objects or constellations do not count.
  • Ifyou cannot observe two objects, you will have to come back another night. Observing a single star through a telescope does not count as one of the objects. Binary stars count as one object.
  • Information about the objects can be found in the posters and in the chalk board at the observatory. You can ask questions about the objects to the staff and volunteers.
  • If the object has a Messier number, record that number in the form.
  • Make a detail sketch of the object. Pay attention to the details of what you can see in the field of view of the eyepiece.Sketch the number of objects, orientation respect to each other, colors and shapes of the objects. If it is a planet, describe any features seeing in the disc, the number of satellites visible and sketch the proper orientation the satellites respect to features in the disc.If it is a Jovian planet, record and label the names of the satellites in the sketch.Write down a description and any notes about the objects while you are at the observatory.

Getting the tokens:

  • Make sure you have completed the sketches and notes in the observing form before you ask for a token.
  • Show your sketch and the notes that you wrote about the objects to one of the designated staff members.

If you have completed the form, you will be issue a token.

If your sketches and notes are incomplete, you will be sent back to the telescopes.

  • Do not retouch the sketches, add details or colors according to images found on-line or in books after you leave the observatory.