ASTR202 :: Fall 2007
Exploration of the Solar System
Observing Project
Recommended to "sign-up" as soon as possible!!

Telescope tentative schedule:
  • possible sessions in light green
  • programmed sessions in light green
  • done sessions
DEADLINE for withdrawing/signing-up:
Friday November 2, 2007

Report DUE (in class) Monday December 3rd, 2007
The observing project is worth 10 points towards your final point total and grade.

You have the choice of doing the Observing Project or the Web Project.

YOU MAY DO BOTH FOR ADDITIONAL CREDIT.
Please note, however, that the maximum combined credit will be of 15 points. Moreover, it will not be purely additive, i.e. two so-so projects that would individually be worth 7-8 points will not give you 15 points when combined. In order to get 15 points you will need two good projects.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN DOING BOTH PROJECTS.
 In the past we ran into a problem toward the end of the semester because several people initially signed up for both projects, and then decided to drop the observing project. There was a clear impression that they signed up for both projects to keep their options open.
Unfortunately, good nights and time are scarce commodities (in Houston at least).
The fact that at the beginning many people --who eventually dropped the project-- were showing up at the observing sessions, in the end had the undesirable effect that a a handful of students (whose only project was the observing one) could not finish their observations.
Based on this past experience, I have decided to make a correction to the "sign-up and commit" process:

  • Students interested in the observing project have to sign-up for it, by sending me an email. This is because, for better planning, I need to know at any given time who is "in" and may show up for the observing sessions.
  • It will be possible to decide to drop the observing project only until the November 2nd deadline.
  • People who will be signed up for the observing project after this deadline, will be bound to submit an observing-project report (and fulfill its other requirements) for grading. Failure to do so will be graded accordingly.
This should ensure that in the last couple of weeks of the semester we are not going to incur the risk of wasting valuable telescope time, and that students who want to finish their project will have the best chance to do so.
Still, keep in mind that all activities depend on the weather... do not wait until the end of the semester to get your observations done.
Components of the Observing Project

The observing project comprises three parts:

  • Performing a few observations of solar system objects, assisted by me and other people who are expert users of the Rice Campus Observatory. Observe at least 5 solar system objects (not necesarily in the same session). When observing, draw a sketch using the observing form [], being sure to note also location, telescope used, time, coordinates, etc.

  • A short report on your observations.
    Something of the order of 2-3 pages (1000 words?). Write about the astronomical objects that you observed (I recommend doing a little research online to find out relevant facts about them), your experience, your thoughts, remarks, etc.
    It can be more personal, or more technical, depending on your personal inclination. The report will include the data and sketches that you will have made when observing.

  • An "exercise" in the spirit of the preparatory work necessary for any observation planning, concerning the visibility of selected astronomical objects (in particular those that we will be trying to observe.) This means, for instance, finding visibilities (e.g. rise and set times, elevation in the evening, ...) for a list of astronomical objects.
    This can be done quite easily by very simple means, such as making a good drawing of how the Earth moves around the Sun, and what parts of the sky (i.e. what ranges of RA) are visible during each month.
    Otherwise, it can be done by means of the software included with the textbook ("Voyager SkyGazer"), or any astronomical software that you may have, or several free web-services (I can suggest a few, but you can probably find several more.)
    The list of objects for which you will have to prepare this will be provided by me to those who will sign up for the observing project, later in the semester. I would recommend you to accompany your answer with a short summary of how you worked out your responses.

Submit your report to me, by the deadline.

The grade will be determined by (in no particular order):

  1. The quality of your short narrative report.

  2. The quality and correctess of the "preparatory work" exercise.

  3. The quality and accuracy of the data, and sketches, that you annotated in your observing forms.
Rice University Campus Observatory

The campus Observatory is located in the small parking lot just in from entrance 20 (along Rice Blvd.). Here is a map, or you can check the campus map.
Please note that it is now surrounded by the new North Annex parking lot.

(I think you should be able to park your car in the lot itself, or in the "real" North Lot just across the street. If you come late, with the car, please switch off your headlights as you enter the parking lot in order to not "disturb" the observations).
We may in fact block the parking gate to avoid disturbances.

Information on the Observing Sessions.

We will arrange for a few observing sessions every month, starting in late September. We will try to go out when the sky has a "dark Moon" (i.e. not full).
The best planets (e.g. Jupiter, Saturn) are not going to collaborate: Jupiter is visible now and only until approx. first week of October, low on the horizon at dusk. Saturn is going to be visible before dawn later in the semester! ( Not my fault! ). We will then also have early morning observing sessions, once or twice. Early morning means being out up-and-running at the telescope by 4:30-5am. It's tough but it can be rewarding!

Since weather in Houston is not very friendly with this kind of "endeavour", we will tentatively schedule nights in blocks, and hope that one will be good and fruitful. Keep this in mind, the schedule of the observing sessions is going to be in constant flux!
Observing sessions dates and times will be posted on the class website.

You will not need to come out every time.
Please keep in mind, however, that it might not be straightforward to get enough good sessions, especially if many students will select the observing project. So, try to show up as often as you can.
Also, please note that observing sessions are subject to cancellation on short notice due to cloudy conditions. I will try to notify the interested people with as much advance as possible: if the weather conditions look ambiguous to you, check your e-mail and the class webpage.

NOTE: You can also use the "George Observatory" (in Brazos Bend State Park) any clear Saturday evening. There are always dozen of amateur astronomers with quite fancy telescopes, and always willing to show you something exciting. You can go there, fill your observing form with the required data. I am going to trust your word that you actually did it.

ASTR202 :: Fall 2007 HOME