1. Astr 3005/3006 Observational Astronomy
Instructor: Dr. Spencer Buckner
Office: SSC B-326
Office Hours: MWF 10:15 – 11:30am and M – F 2:30 – 4:00pm
or by appointment
Class Meeting Time: Thursday evenings Lecture: 6:40 – 7:35pm in SSC B-310 Lab: 7:45 – 10:30pm at the APSU Observatory

2. Textbook
Observational Astronomy 2nd Edition by D. Scott Birney, Guillermo Gonzalez and Davis Oesper

3. Also Recommended
$11
$21
I have a number of them that I will sell at cost. Let me know if you want one.

4. Planetarium Test
During the semester you will be required to learn the locations of 25 constellations and 30 named stars in the planetarium. The planetarium test is an up or down test, no partial credit. The last day to take the test is Thursday December 13.

5. Observing Log
You will be require to keep a logbook of your observations. The logbook will be collected several times during the semester and at the end of the semester. It will be graded for completeness and number of entries. You should have entries for each observing lab as well as any observations you make outside of class
Every log entry should include
Date, time and location of observation
Sky seeing conditions
Instrument used (including focal length or f/ratio)
Magnification and eyepieces used
Description of the objects observed

6. Observing Labs
There will be at least five observing labs during the semester. Some of the labs will be completed in a single night while others may take observations over several weeks to complete. Each observing lab will require a formal write-up.
First Lab: Telescopic Observations of the Moon Multiple night lab…observations over the next four weeks. Lab write-up will be due September 27
Since the Moon doesn’t rise until almost 10pm tonight, we will do a “learning to set-up telescopes” lab. No formal report will be required.

7. Homework
Homework will be assigned from the Review Questions at the back of each chapter. They will be due on the Thursday following the completion of the chapter. Additional problems from other sources may also be assigned to supplement the back-of-chapter questions.
First Homework set is due Thursday September 6.
Chapter 1 # 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6
Answer in complete sentences, where appropriate. Show your calculation on #6

8. Observing Nights
You will serve as set-up and take-down for the 1st Quarter Observing Nights and a Dark Sky Observing Nights. All 1st nights and the last four Dark Sky Nights start at 7:30pm. The first four Dark Sky Nights start at 8:30pm. The nights are
We will meet in B-310 approximately 45 minutes prior to the start time. On weeks when there are observing nights, there will be no lab. The class lecture will take place during those weeks with two exceptions.
First Quarter Nights Dark Sky Nights
Monday September 17
Wednesday September 19
Saturday October 20
Tuesday November 13
Thursday November 15
Wednesday September 5
Saturday September 8
Saturday October 6
Monday October 8
Thursday November 1
Tuesday November 6

9. Schedule for the next three weeks
Tonight after lecture: unpack two new mounts and becoming familiar with how to set-up the various telescopes. Quit early.
Next Week: Dark Sky Observing Night on Wednesday and Saturday so no lab. You can make some observations during the evening, though. Class will meet Thursday night
Week after: Lunar observations and another lab depending on the skies.

10. The Celestial Sphere
A useful fiction but it has its limitations

11. Spherical Coordinates
On the Earth, the angle f is the latitude while the angle l is the longitude. A third quantity, the altitude, is needed to describe the position in 3D

12. Alt-Az Coordinates
The Alt-Az coordinates are tied to your locale. Azimuth is the angle around from due north (0°) and altitude is the angle above the horizon. Third quantity, distance to object, isn’t used.

13. Celestial Equatorial Coordinates
(Right Ascention) is the angle around from the Vernal Equinox
(Declination) is the angle above (+) or below (-) the celestial equator
The celestial equator is the projection of the Earth’s equator onto the celestial sphere.
The Vernal equinox is the point where the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward

14. Ecliptic Coordinates
Useful for specifying the positions and orbits of objects within the solar system

15. Galactic Coordinates
Useful for galactic orbit calculations. Many sky survey star maps use galactic coordinates

16. Measuring Celestial Coordinates
The Meridian Telescope
Measure the time when an object crosses the meridian and, given your longitude, you have its Right Ascension

17. Measuring Celestial Coordinates II
Find the angle between the object and the North (or South) Celestial Pole and you have the compliment of its declination

18. 5-Minute Essay My name is ___________.
I am a (sophomore, junior, senior, other)
My major is _____________.
I am taking Observational astronomy because I want to learn_____________.
When I graduate, I want to __________.