ASTR 110G
Section M02: Mondays 2:30-4:30 pm BX 102
Section M03: Tuesdays 1:30-3:30 pm BX 102
Office Hours: Wednesdays 2:00-3:00 pm, Thursdays 10:30-11:30 am or by appointment
Contact information is to the right. Email is preferred.

Purpose

The purpose of this lab is to allow you to apply what you have learned in lecture. It will give you a better understanding of the material and an appreciation for astronomy.

Lab Materials

You will need a Lab Manual (a pdf version can be found by clicking on the link above), a scientific calculator and something to write with. Cell phone calculators are not acceptable because they do not contain all the functions that you will need during this lab.

Policies

• Attendance is mandatory. There will be NO MAKE-UPS for missed labs unless you have communicated with me prior to the missed lab or are sick and have a doctor's note. You may be able to attend one of the other ASTR 110G lab sections but you must check with me first.
• Turn off your cell phones at the beginning of lab. We all know that cell phones are distracting to us and others when work is being done. Once you are done with lab, you may turn it back on but not before.
• Labs will be due one week after they have been assigned with the exception of the last lab. Arrangements will be made later in the semester to turn that one in. Each person must turn in their own summary in addition to a group lab. Late labs and summaries will be accepted up to one class period past the due date but they are worth only 50% of the total points. Work handed in any later will not be accepted. Labs are not considered on time if parts are missing so be sure to have everything together.
• All lab members must write in their lab manuals. This is to prevent problems if the lab member who has the lab packet does not show up to class the day the lab is due. In the past some students have "disappeared" so do not let that happen to you!
• Summaries must be typed, one page in length and written in your own words. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in a zero for the entire lab. Do not copy material from any source including your classmates, books, the lab manual or any website (including Wikipedia). If you want to reference or quote material, include the source in some way. You should not be answering all your questions with material from sources. In order to show that you have learned the material, you should be able to put it in your own words. If in doubt, please ask!

Observing Project

You are required to go to the campus observatory and make two sets of observations. While at the observatory you will be able to look at objects in the night sky through telescopes. For each set you will have to make sketches of 3 different astronomical objects and one constellation on the observing sheets at the back of your lab manual. Also required on the observing sheets will be some information about the object. Google is a good place to start looking for an additional fact about your object. Don't forget to reference your source! Make sure you have all four of your sheets stamped by one of the graduate assistants at the observatory to prove you were there.

When going to the observatory don't forget: four observing sheets, a pencil, dress appropriately and get your sheets stamped!

The campus observatory link at the top right will give you information on where it is located and when it is open. Sometimes it will be closed due to bad weather so make sure to check before you go out. You can also call (575) 646 - 6278 for updates on the observatory.

Advice

Do not put your observing projects off to the last minute! It is likely that other students have procrastinated as well so the lines at the observatory could be long enough that you don't get your project done before the facility closes. Also, the graduate assistants running the observatory cannot control the weather and unfortunately telescopes cannot see through the clouds. If the sky is not clear as the due date approaches, you may not be able to get your project done.

It also helps to fill out as much of your observation sheet as you can at the observatory so you do not forget what you looked at.

Reminder

I am here to help you so feel free to ask questions and stop by office hours.