Chabot College/Las Positas College
December, 1996
Replaced Fall 2006
Course Outline for Astronomy 30
INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY LAB
Catalog Description:
30 - Introduction to Astronomy Lab
1 unit
Introduction to laboratory principles and techniques in astronomy. Includes telescope operation and
measuring stellar magnitudes, spectral lines, motions of the sun, moon and planets. Prerequisite/CoRequisite: Astronomy 1, 10, or 20. 3 hours laboratory.
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcome for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1.
align a telescope for proper operation;
2.
measure the sun's altitude with a shadow caster;
3.
determine the azimuth and altitude of the sun, moon and stars;
4.
measure the angular separation of two stars using a cross-staff;
5.
determine the distance to objects using the cross-staff parallax method;
6.
draw a sketch of a star's position on the celestial sphere when given that star's azimuth and
altitude or its right ascension and declination;
7.
measure the wavelength of spectral lines commonly found in stellar spectra;
8.
plot the path of the sun, moon or planets on a star chart;
9.
locate an object on a star chart when given its celestial coordinates.
Course Content:
1.
Star charts
2.
Constellations and bright stars
3.
Spectral analysis
4.
Lunar motion and phases
5.
Solar motion
6.
Telescope operation
7.
Telescope optics and photography
8.
Planetary motion
Methods of Presentation:
1.
Three-hour laboratory session per week.
2.
Student experimentation.
3.
Instructor demonstration.
4.
Student participation in demonstrations.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
Weekly laboratory assignments
2.
Quizzes
3.
Exams
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Practical Astronomy Labs, Bonneau and Smith, Bonneau and Smith Publishers
Special Student Materials:
SH/hp 1/94
a:AST30CO.CON
None