Astronomy 110 Laboratory: Observing

Spring 2004 Astronomy 110L Thurs. 7:00 - 10:00 pm

WEATHER

The weather in Hawaii is often hard to predict; conditions earlier in the day are not always a good guide. In general, you should be prepared for both outdoor and indoor labs; we will go observing whenever the weather is good, even if it was bad earlier in the day. The links below are helpful in planning observing sessions:

         Oahu Forecast          Current conditions and 7 day forecast
         Synoptic Discussion          General discussion of unfolding weather patterns
         Satellite Interpretation          Discussion of satellite images, emphasizing cloud cover
         Infrared Light Animation          IR images; available even at night
         Visible Light Animation          Visible images show detail of clouds
         Oahu, Maui & Surroundings          Close-up visible light animation
         Satellite Image Browser          Full-disk images and animations for the big picture
         IfA Weather Links          Other weather-related resources

PLANS

Plans for the next week or two will appear here, updated weekly.

1/22/04: Crescent Moon. Begin the "Phases of the Moon" project by trying to observe the thin crescent from PSB at the beginning of class. Travel to Kapiolani park for orientation session, observations of constellations and planets.

DIRECTIONS

Most observing sessions will be held off-campus in Kapiolani Park. To reach our observing site in Kapiolani Park, you

  1. Go SOUTH (downhill) on University Avenue,

  2. Turn LEFT onto S. King Street,

  3. Follow the signs for Waikiki through the Kapiolani Avenue intersection,

  4. At the light beneath the overpass, turn RIGHT onto Kapahulu Avenue,

  5. When you reach the Ala Wai intersection, turn LEFT onto Paki Avenue,

  6. Continue on Paki Avenue through the Monsarrat Avenue intersection,

  7. At Noela Street, turn RIGHT into the parking lot on Paki Avenue,

  8. Look for a truck with a 'University of Hawaii' sign and State of Hawaii seal.
For a printer-friendly version with map, see the Directions to Kapiolani Park.

To reach our observing site at Sandy Beach, you

  1. Take the H1 EAST.

  2. When the freeway ends, continue EAST on Kalanianaole Highway.

  3. Continue on Kalanianaole Highway past Hawaii Kai, Hanauma Bay, Molokai Lookout, and Blowhole.

  4. Turn RIGHT into the Sandy Beach park entrance.

  5. Drive through the park to the far end, where you'll find a small parking area with a bathroom/shower building.

  6. Look for a truck with a 'University of Hawaii' sign and State of Hawaii seal.

LOG BOOK

This space will contain notes on some of our observations and experiments as the term progresses.

REPORTS

Detailed reports of some observations will be included here.

Donald L. Mickey (mickey@ifa.hawaii.edu)

Last modified: January 10, 2004
http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/~mickey/ASTR110L_S04/observing.html