Astronomy
Chapter 1: Observing Lab
Astronomy Lab Instructions
Astronomy Lab: Making and Reporting Astronomical Observations
Goal: To understand the scientific methods of observing and reporting used in astronomy
Read the entry on Lab Work for this course.
Then read the following sections in the Student Survival Guide:
- Doing Labs
- Writing Lab Reports
Be sure that you understand the requirements for lab credit:
- How many labs are required to receive lab credit for the course?
- What is the lab permission letter? Where do you find it? Where do you send it?
- Where are the safety procedures located? Did you read them carefully? (and why do we care if we aren't using chemicals and heat and sharp implements in astronomy?)
- What should you do if you don't understand how the safety procedures apply to a particular lab?
- What equipment should you have to do most of the labs for the course?
- Where can you find suppliers for the equipment?
- What are the three kinds of direct research you can do?
- What are the five parts you should include in each lab report?
Read through the Information on taking notes during observations at the American Association of Amateur Astronomers site. Note the kinds of observations about observing conditions you need to make, like date, time, location, seeing (resolution between close objects) and transparency (greatest magnitude visible). We'll talk more about how to determine the angular size of your visual field when we get to the chapter on telescopes.
Download the form for the Observing Log (PDF).
Download the form for the Sketch Template (PDF).
Discussion
- How does using a common form help astronomers gather and compare data? How does it restrict possible discoveries?
- What kinds of measurements do astronomers make in their observations?
- What kinds of "lab work" might an astronomer do?
© 2005 - 2024 This course is offered through Scholars Online, a non-profit organization supporting classical Christian education through online courses. Permission to copy course content (lessons and labs) for personal study is granted to students currently or formerly enrolled in the course through Scholars Online. Reproduction for any other purpose, without the express written consent of the author, is prohibited.