SURVEY OF ASTRONOMY: LABORATORY

This Astronomy 110L is a laboratory course that provides the essential contents of Astronomy 110 plus a heavy component of practical activities. It is designed to be self-contained, and therefore it can be taken without having been exposed to Astronomy 110. The practical objectives are to teach the night sky and the use of astronomical telescopes, and to perform some key astronomical observations and laboratory experiments. The idea is to use astronomy as a vehicle to introduce the philosophy and basic concepts of the scientific method. We emphasize the evolution of astronomical ideas and their logical connection to provide the basis for our present understanding of the universe. The class will meet at night, with frequent field trips to nearby observing sites. This course fulfills the Distribution Requirement for a Science Laboratory (DY).

• Time & Place: Wednesdays, 6:00 - 9:00 pm; PSB, Room 112

• Professor: Roberto H. Méndez
  • Office: Institute for Astronomy, 2680 Woodlawn Drive, Room C-105
  • Office telephone number: 956-6756
  • Cell phone: 366-8564
  • E-mail address: mendez@ifa.hawaii.edu
  • Office hours: by appointment at the IfA, preferably after noon.

• Assistant Instructor: Dani Atkinson
  • Office: Institute for Astronomy, Room C-225
  • Telephone number:
  • E-mail address: atkinson@ifa.hawaii.edu
  • Office hours:

• Course Outline:
  • The Sky - Telescopes - Observations - Dynamics - Distances - Spectra

• Text Books & Web Pages:
  • Stars & Planets, by Ian Ridpath & Wil Tirion [required]
  • The Beginner's Observing Guide, by Leo Enright, 5th Edition [recommended]
  • The Universe, by Peter Grego [recommended if the typical Astr 110 textbook is too large for you]
  • Observer's Handbook 2011, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, ed. Patrick Kelly [about half of it stops being useful on Dec 31st, 2011]
  • The Sky Tonight, by Samuel E. Rhoads [recommended]
  • External web sites

• Student Guide:
  • Motivation - Teamwork - Observing - Equipment - Reading Assignments - Observing Log - Lab Reports - Quizzes - Grading Policy - Student Conduct

• Observing:
  • Weather - Directions - Log Book

Last modified: August 21, 2011
http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/~mendez/ASTRO110LAB11/index.html