Welcome! This semester I'll be one of Dr. Churchill's lab TAs. The labs conveniently meet in the same room in which your lectures are held (Biology Annex #102).

I live in the Astronomy Building, just across the parking lot from our classroom. You're always welcome to drop by with questions, but it's best to email me or call my office first to ensure that I'm actually there.

Meeting Time and Place: Wednesdays, 12:30 - 2:30pm in BX102

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory, and there are NO make-up labs. If you know ahead of time that you will be missing a lab, let me know as soon as possible. You may be able to attend one of the other two Astr110G lab sections. However, you must check with me first.

Lab Materials:

• 2008/2009 Astr110 lab manual (also available at Kinkos for ~$17)
• A scientific calculator
• Something to write with

Lab Schedule: The lab schedule can be found on the same page as the reading and lecture schedule for the course. Note that we won't be doing the labs in the same order as they are printed in the manual! It is in your best interest to read the correct next lab before coming to class, as the better prepared you are, the less time it will take you to complete the lab.

Lab Activities: Each week we will be doing an activity that is meant to help you understand the material presented in lecture. You will work in assigned groups of 2-3 people. At the end of the lab period, each group will turn in one lab report. However, each individual is required to write his/her own lab summary , to be turned in at the beginning of the next lab. Each summary should be 1 page in length and typed.

Summaries are ultimately for your benefit, and are meant to get you to think about what concepts you learned in the lab. Plagiarism of any kind will result in a zero for the entire lab (lab report + summary). Plagiarism is the direct copying of material from any source, be it your lab partner, the web, a book, an article, or even the lab manual itself. "Material" includes sentences and images. If you want to include information that you obtained from another source, you must rephrase that information in your own words and then list your source as a reference. If any of this is unclear or you are unsure as to how to reference a source, please come see me. If in doubt always ask!

Observing "Projects": You will need to make two sets of observations at the campus observatory during the semester. This is the most fun part about being in lab, as you get to go outside and look at the real night sky! TAs will be on duty to show various objects through the telescopes and answer questions about them. For each "project" you will make sketches of 3 different astronomical objects and one constellation on the observing sheets that are included in your lab manual. Additionally, you will need to provide some information on the objects you viewed and the telescopes you used by filling in the blanks on your observing sheets. Before you leave, make sure that one of the TAs stamps each sheet to prove that you actually came to the observatory.

The first set of observations is due on Wednesday, March 11 (turn in during lab).

The second set of observations is due on Wednesday, May 6 (info on how to turn this in will appear later in the semester).

The campus observatory website contains information about where the observatory is located and the nights it is open. Sometimes a scheduled observatory night will be cancelled due to bad weather. You can check this website or call (575) 646-6278 for updates on whether or not the observatory will be open.

When coming to the observatory, don't forget to:

• bring at least four observing sheets (included in the lab manual)
• bring a pencil
• check the temperature outside and dress appropriately!
• get your observing sheets stamped by one of the TAs

Important Advice!:
Don't put off your observing assignments to the last minute! Unfortunately, the TAs have no control over the weather and telescopes can't see through clouds. This means that if the skies aren't clear as each due date approaches, you won't be able to complete your observing assignments. Even if it is clear, I doubt that you'll want to spend forever waiting in a long line of procrastinators to make your observations!

Fill out as much of the observing sheets as you can while at the observatory. That way if you have any questions about the object that you viewed or the telescope that you looked through, you can ask one of the TAs. Plus, that way you won't forget!

Individual Lab Tips:
Jan 28/Lab 1: Introduction

Last modifed: January 15, 2009