ASTRONOMY 14

COURSE SYLLABUS

(Read Carefully)

Course Description:   Astrophotography and Imaging (1 unit)

                                    This course will satisfy the Sierra College lab science requirement.

Pre or co-requisites:  Astronomy 2, 5, or 10; or Earth Science 10; or Physics 10 or the equivalent.

Instructor:                   David Dunn

Office:                         Office ST-2 adjacent to classroom.

Office Hours:              To be announced on first day of class

Email:                          ddunn@sierracollege.edu

Campus Extensions:   Dunn (ex. 7912; 916-660-7912)

 

 

Laboratory Codes, Times, and Instructors 

                                         

                                    62696      Tues, Thurs     12:30-1:50 PM           Dunn

                                   

 

 

Meeting Place:  Always meet in Room ST-2 at 12:30 P.M. SHARP on class days for lab activities. It is important to show up on time to receive handouts and hear important announcements.

 

Photo/imaging Sessions:  Only students in Astronomy 14 may attend the sessions.  Always dress warmly for outdoor activities and bring a red flashlight.  Check with your instructor for the status of scheduled sessions. We will meet on selected THURSDAY nights.

 

Break Period:   There is no formal break period during class.  When taking a break from class activities, students are expected to use common sense on when to take a break and to inform their team members when doing so.

 

Textbook and Materials:

      Text:     Astrophotography for the Amateur (Covington) and A-14 Lab package (Handouts in class)                       

      Maps:   Star/Constellation Maps SC-001 and SC-002 (Buy now at Campus Stores)

      A camera (35mm and/or digital) if you have one

      Small flashlight (you will equip it with a red filter in class)

      Notebook and pencils

      Warm clothes for observing sessions

      Other materials made available in class during the semester

 

 

 

VERY IMPORTANT

It is the responsibility of the student (not the instructor) to add or drop a class.  Instructors may drop a student for excessive absences and, then again, they might not.

 

CHECK YOUR SCHEDULE OF CLASSES FOR THE DEADLINE DROP DATE ....

   …. Hopefully, you WON'T drop the class ...

 

Grading and Attendance

 

1.   The final grade in this class is based on total "assigned" points (roughly 250 points):

                  A = 90% or more of total points assigned

                  B = 80% or more, but less than 90%, of total points assigned

                  C = 70% or more, but less than 80%, of total points assigned

                  D = 60% or more, but less than 70%, of total points assigned

 

2.   Two 10-point quizzes and a 20-point Midterm Exam will be given; your instructor will announce the times.  A 40-point portfolio of photos and images obtained during the sessions is due on the day of the Final Exam.  A 40-point Final Exam will be given on the last day of class.  Any exceptions to the exam schedules will be noted in class.  All exams are open book and open notes.  The quizzes are individual, not team efforts. 

 

  1. Laboratory Exercises are worth 10 points each (about 6).  These 10 points are determined from two activities:

 1) Completing the exercise and the corresponding exercise sheet.

 2) Completing an “Observer’s Summary of Activity” in the Astrophotography Log.

 

4.   The Astrophotography Log  (the Green Book) is to be maintained throughout the session.  The log will be checked (for organization and content) during the Midterm Exam and again during the Final Exam.  A properly maintained log is worth 20 points accumulated over the semester.

 

5.   Laboratory Exercises and exams cannot be made up.  If a problem exists, notify the instructor before the exercise/exam date.  One lab may be missed without penalty.

 

6.   Exercise and Exam scores are periodically posted in the ST-2 lab.  Please check the results for accuracy.  Once you begin taking the Final Exam, previous scores can no longer be contested.

 

 

 

 

General Instructor Expectations of Students:  We expect each student to give his or her best effort in participating in class activities and accomplishing assigned tasks.  We expect students to adhere to their behavior responsibilities as detailed in the Sierra College Student Handbook.  Cheating, plagiarism, or any other forms of dishonesty are considered grounds for an immediate course grade of F and possible dismissal from Sierra College.

 

Student Expectations of Instructor:  You can expect our best effort in teaching the principles of Astronomy.  We hope to impart in our students a sense of excitement in observing and studying nature’s show in the cosmos.  We are very open to suggestions for topics that students wish to discuss or improvements in the course content and/or presentation.

 

Student Safety:  All students should be aware of the proper procedures under emergency conditions in the classroom or building.  This awareness includes how and where to meet during an evacuation, and location and use of the building first aid kit, fire extinguishers, and phones.

COMPLETE THE GREEN INFORMATION CARD

Give this card to the instructor before leaving class on the first day.  The small square in the upper right hand corner of the card is used for your group/telescope letter.  Your instructor will assign this letter to you.

Thank you for electing to take Astronomy 14.  I hope you will learn much and enjoy the subject as much as I do.       David Dunn

 

Potential Photo/Imaging Sessions

 

These dates are dependent on weather conditions!

Week #2 (January 22)            Week #9 (March 12)  

Week #3 (January 29)            Week #10 (March 19)

Week #4 (February 5)            Week #11 (March 26)

Week #5 (February 12)          Week #12 (April 2)

Week #6 (February 19)         

Week #7 (February 26)          Week #14 (April 16)  

Week #8 (March 5)                 Week #15 (April 23)

                                               

Be in front of ST-2 at 7:00 PM SHARP!!   Departure is at 7:10 PM.

Note: These times are for ALL Thursday night sessions!

 

Course Content Outline:

  • Measuring Devices, Significant Figures, Error, and Scientific Notation
  • Small Telescopes and Binoculars
  • Optical Bench and Optical Parameters
  • Photography and Star Trails
  • Computers, Star Maps, and Data Collection
  • 35mm Cameras and Photographic Film Processing
  • CCD Cameras
  • Image Processing Software
  • Piggyback and Prime Focus Astrophotography
  • CCD Imaging
  • Photometers and Light Curves
  • Spectrometers and Stellar Chemistry
  • Computer Links with Remotely Operated Telescopes
  • Telescopes and Digital Coordinate Systems
  • Planning an Imaging Session
  • Observatory Methods and Practices

 

Student Performance Outcomes:

Through assigned tasks, peer-lead hands-on activities, computer simulated exercises, classroom discussions, and quizzes/exams, students will:

  • Perform computations making proper use of significant figures, scientific notation, calculators, and digital computers;
  • Maintain a log of all laboratory and field activities;
  • Understand the celestial and horizon coordinate systems;
  • Understand celestial motions and they effect the choices of astronomical photography;
  • Know several stars and constellations and general sky orientation;
  • Describe the general optical construction of reflector and refractor telescopes along with their inherent advantages and disadvantages;
  • Compute the following optical characteristics of a telescope: magnification power (M), practical magnification (PM), light gathering power (LGP), resolving power (RP), field-of-view (FOV), and f-ratio (FR);
  • Compare and contrast the computed optical characteristics M, LGP, FOV, and FR of a simple telescope with those measured in the lab through the use of an optical bench;
  • Determine the optimal telescope to use for a given observational arrangement based on purpose, cost, and portability;
  • Describe the observational techniques of astrometry, photometry, and spectroscopy;
    State the functions and processes of an astronomical observatory;
  • Explain how to use a computer to link to remote telescopes to collect astronomical data;
  • Use image processing software;
  • Use rulers, protractors, reticule magnifiers, and similar devices to measure features on astronomical photographs;
  • Hyper-sensitize and process 35mm film;
  • Create a digital image using a CCD camera;
  • Create a light-curve using a CCD camera and variable light source in the lab;
  • Use a spectrometer to measure and interpret emission lines from fluorescing gas tubes;
  • Plan an observing session through the use of constellation charts, celestial almanacs, and astronomical computer software;
  • Properly set up a small computerized telescope to visually observe a celestial object during day or evening hours;
  • Properly set up a small computerized telescope for the purpose of observing a celestial object with either a camera (film or CCD) or spectrometer;
  • Describe, locate, and image the Moon (or Sun), a planet, a multiple star system, a star cluster, a nebula, and a galaxy;
  • Complete a semester project in astrometry, photometry, or spectroscopy which includes a series of images generated using either a 35 mm or a CCD digital camera and corresponding image and data analysis.