Dr. Keel
Thursday nights, 7:00-10:00 p.m., in room 313 Gallalee
Office hours: in 311B Gallalee, 1:15-3:15 Wednesday, 1:30-3:00 Tuesday, and other times by appointment (348-1641). I can also be reached by email at keel@bildad.astr.ua.edu . If you email me, be sure to put "AY 203" somewhere in the subject line.
This course is designed to give motivated students direct experience in astronomical observations and their analysis, including visual, and electronic techniques. We will use portable telescopes on campus, the 16-inch telescope of the campus observatory, telescopes located in the darker skies at Moundville, and a 36-inch telescope in Arizona by internet control. Students should normally have completed AY101 or a more advanced astronomy course; people now enrolled in AY101 or AY204 can be admitted with consent of instructor (i.e. at their own risk).
Both indoor exercises and observing projects are included. The lab scheduled for a particular period depends on the weather, phase of the moon, etc. There will be 13 sessions for the lab. Each student will do an independent observing project during the semester; get an early start to avoid being clouded out! The lab reports should be self-contained and complete descriptions of each exercise, when forms are not provided in the exercise.
A Web collection of useful material may be found at http://www.astr.ua.edu/keel/ay203. I plan to use the web site and email communication to get the word around as to whether we will meet at Gallalee Hall or in Moundville for some sessions, as well as for submission of lab results.
Class preparation: you should bring a calculator and elementary astronomy text (surely you didn't sell it back to the bookstore!). For outdoor labs, remember that it can get pretty cold late in the fall, and dress accordingly. For some lab exercises, a millimeter ruler will help. Some dark-sky sessions will take place at Moundville Archaeological Park, for which a flashlight will be particularly helpful. In fact, a flashlight is a good idea any time we're actually observing, much better than trying to read charts with a cigarette lighter.
Specific subjects for each session depend on the weather and phase of the Moon, so we can often decide which activity to do shortly before starting. Observing sessions will deal with:
We will have some indoor sessions as well, driven by weather if nothing else. Some topics include
Some possible independent observing projects include
The course grade will be based on results and written reports of the lab sessions (3/4) on individual observing projects (1/4). There is no final exam.
Academic misconduct: All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help, or conspiracy to help, another student. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.
Students with disabilities are encouraged to register with the Office of Disability Services (348-4285). Thereafter, you are invited to schedule appointments to see me during office hours to discuss accomodations or other special needs.
Last changes: 8/2007