Observing Projects

The observing projects are group projects, and each group should consist of around 4 people. These projects will include either going to the telescope at Painter Hall and observing nighttime objects, or making observations of the Sun. The idea is to have you go through the process of astronomical observations, including figuring out where to point the telescope, dealing with weather problems, gathering data, and presenting results. The presentation can be either in class or written, but must include all aspects of the project (for example, explain the difficulties you had in even locating the object and what could be done to overcome those in the future). The observations will generally be of variable stars for which you will try to measure their variations. Feel free to use other variable stars other than those listed below. ***USE the internet to help you with any stage of this project. It will be VERY USEFUL.***

You will have to be trained to use Painter Hall, unless you are able to go there Friday and Saturday nights and convince the telescope operator to point at your object (which is possible). To be trained, the easiest thing to do is to go to Painter Hall on either Friday or Saturday evening and have the person show you around. They are the ones that will be training and are aware that some of you might be coming to see them.

Examples of Observing Projects include:

Measure the brightness variations of a variable star. There are many stars for which this will work, including Algol, Delta Cephei, Delta Scorpii, Mira. Measure a brightness both from the naked eye and using a telescope (or binoculars if you can't make it to the observatory). To measure a brightness, compare how bright it is to nearby stars (e.g., same brightness as star A, twice as bright as star B, etc.), but make sure you clearly highlight the stars that you are using to compare with (find out their names if you can). You'll have to figure out how to find the star yourself (start with the internet). Monitor it for 4 times an hour, twice a week, for at least 3 weeks, and try to estimate any variations. Make a plot of the variations as a function of time. Tell me how these observations could have been easier and/or more accurate.

Measure the rotation period of the Sun using sunspots. For this observing project, you must exercise care about looking into the Sun. Never look at the Sun without a filter! The easiest thing to do is to obtain a pair of binoculars, point them at the Sun (but do not look through the eyepiece when you do this), and project the image onto a white sheet of paper behind the binoculars. Do this every clear day for three weeks, and each time outline the image of the Sun on the piece of paper including images of the sunspots (use a new piece of paper each time). After three weeks, measure the rotation of the Sun using the movement of the sunspots across the face of the Sun.

Measure the rotation rate of the moons of Jupiter and try to estimate Jupiter's mass from these data. This will require you sketching the moon configuration over a night or a few nights. Then you will need some information (for example) distance to get the mass of Jupiter.

Measuring the speed of light from the eclipse of Jupiter's moon.

Here is a list of group members. I would like the first person listed in each group to send me an email so I know how to contact you. Try to find each other somehow (email should work fine) and if you have trouble ask me. The first person in each list will be the contact person (for me), so please contact that person.