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• Physical Science 111: Course Syllabus
• Physical Science 111: Observing Objectives
• Physical Science 111: Laboratory Syllabus

The Solar System and Exploration of the Universe, the two undergraduate level astronomy courses offered at Eastern University, are two of the most challenging and thought-provoking classes at Eastern University. Both classes have a corresponding laboratory credit, which allows students in the courses to make use of The Bradstreet Observatory. Below, you'll find information from the laboratory syllabus.

Objectives
There is no teacher like experience, and my main goal in designing this lab has been to give the student a first hand, close-up contact with the universe they are studying. As a result of serious effort in this lab, the student will gain a good working knowledge of telescopes, observing techniques, location of major constellations throughout the sky, CCD astrophotography, computerized image enhancement, and other related astronomical subjects.

Responsibility
This lab is unique in many ways and leads the student into many different avenues of discovery and exploration. However with privileges come some very serious responsibilities that cannot be overemphasized.

1. The major portion of your observing will be done on the McInnis rooftop Observatory. This professional facility contains state of the art telescopes and auxiliary equipment and is the miraculous realization of a 20-year dream. Any student found willfully abusing any equipment will be expelled from the Lab and receive an F for the Lab grade. Any students mishandling equipment irresponsibly will be liable for its replacement.
2. No visitors are allowed with the group unless previously authorized by the professor.
3. The group using the equipment is responsible for its safety. Make sure everything is there before and after you observe.
4. There is to be a maximum of three students per telescope, not including the Lab Assistant.

Schedule of Labs and Assignments
Because we have "only" two telescopes, students are asked to work in groups of two or three. These groups may be "permanent" (i.e., you always work together) or you may sign up individually on the network Observing Calendar and other class members may also sign up for the same time and you will work together on your projects. The first person to sign up for a night has priority in deciding what is to be done by the group on that night. The major goal(s) of that person should be written on the Observing Calendar so that other students needing to perform that project will know what is being planned (i.e., general observing, CCD photography, solar observing, moon shots, planet shots, extra credit work, etc.). Because we have two telescopes with which to work, when you sign up on the Observing Calendar specify which telescope (North or South) you want to use. Two groups may work in the Observatory simultaneously. You should also put your phone number next to your name so that you can be reached if there is a problem.

The telescopes are identical Meade LX200 16-inch diameter Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, with fully computerized functions that allow the user to automatically locate celestial objects easily. They also possess clock drives that automatically move the telescopes to counter the Earth's rotation, and thus objects stay in view as long as they are above the horizon. The telescopes can be controlled manually from within the Observatory domes as well as by powerful computers, housed in the adjacent climate-controlled Russell Control Room, which allow sophisticated software to control all functions of the telescopes. For example, students can completely control the telescopes by sitting at a desk and clicking on a computerized star map, which in turn directs the telescope automatically to that position. Photography of the object can then be initiated with the results appearing on the computer screen minutes later, ready for storage and later image enhancement.

Due to the nature of this lab, we will not meet every scheduled lab period because you will be observing on your own five or more times during the semester. The "TBA" (To Be Announced) labs will either be special presentations, special projects (like a lecture on special research projects), or "rest" periods. These "rest" periods are in recognition of the time you will be spending on your own in the Observatory. You are guaranteed at least four "rest" periods. Individuals or groups are responsible for signing up on the Observing Calendar, located on the University Computer Network, for the particular night(s) they desire to observe. You should only sign up for at most one night a week, and please don't sign up for every Tuesday night for the next three months as that shuts out others for whom Tuesday nights may be the only night they can work. You should only sign up for about one month in advance. The phase of the moon will also be indicated on the calendar. The best time to visually observe is 1 week before and after new moon, and moon photos are best 4 days before and after 1st quarter. We'll discuss this more in lab.

If you sign up for a night and it is mostly cloudless that night, you must take advantage of it and observe. Clear nights are far too infrequent to waste. If the night you signed up for is mostly cloudy, then you do not have to show up in the Observatory that night. The Lab Assistants (LA's) will also be signing up for particular nights to be "on duty." In this way you will know which Lab Assistant will be working with you that night in case you need to contact them about meeting times, etc.

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