Observing Sessions and Lab Activity Reports

Transcription

1 Coconino Community College Astronomy - PHY180 Observing Sessions and Lab Activity Reports The types of activities in this Astronomy program are divided into two groups: 5 Observing Sessions, and 7 Lab Activities. Each Lab Activity and Observing Session is organized in a manner for the student to perform a variety of activities (observe celestial objects, record and graph data, draw, photograph, etc.) and, of course, intelligently answer questions about each of their experiences. I - Observing Sessions The Observing Sessions are activities where each student makes a variety of visual and/or telescopic observations (which includes taking some data.) Then questions are answered related to those observations. Some of the answers will be the result of: 1) The student s own observing, or; 2) Minimal research from an outside source such as the class text, a resource book, Internet, etc. Special Note: With respect to the latter, the student should first review the material prior to the actual Observing Session, because some of this information may be required to do the observing. Observing Take turns finding the objects. Not everyone will necessarily be able to find all the objects easily, but it is important for everyone to get a chance to observe through the telescopes. Each Observing Session includes the following basic Observing Conditions Section on the first page which includes the Observing Date & Time, Viewing Conditions, and the Lunar Phase for that evening. Make sure you fill these in, otherwise you will lose points. Observing Date: Time: Viewing Conditions Cloud Cover: Seeing: (Air Shakiness) Transparency: (Air Haziness) (1 is bad, 2 is Fair, 3 is Good, 4 is Excellent) Lunar Phase Identify (circle) the phase of the current Moon Note that this is as seen with the unaided eye Remember to Bring When we go to observe make sure you have the following: A copy of the Observing Session assignment for the evening. Warm Clothes Even in early Fall or Late Spring, the evenings can be quite chilly. Clipboard, or Notebook You will need something to write against. A Pencil Again, all data must be in pencil. Drawings We don t expect everyone to be artists, but do the best you can to identify the features of the objects being observed. Be sure all your sketches are to scale. For star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies, sketch a negative image using your pencil. i.e. - Dark marks represent bright areas. I: 03a Observing Sessions & Lab Activity Reports BDM Page 1

2 Example Observing Cover Page Coconino Community College Astronomy PHY180 Observing Cover Page Name: Jack Donner Telescope No.: 3 Observing Date: MM/DD/YYYY Title: Observing from Anderson Mesa III Introduction/Purpose: To observe two Galaxies, a Nebulae and the planets Jupiter and Venus from Anderson Mesa. We also observed the spectra of several stars. Results/Discussion: We observed, and drew, the Sombrero and Pinwheel galaxies (M104 and M101) and the Horse Head Nebula (IC 434.) The shapes of the galaxies do resemble their names, a Mexican hat, and a pinwheel. The Sombrero appears as a fuzzy edge-on galaxy while the Pinwheel was observed looking down at the galaxy showing its full shape. We also viewed the spectra of the stars Antares and Spica and noted that their spectra are quite different. Antares appears red and its spectrum has many dark lines and bands in it, while Spica appears white and its spectrum shows just a few distinct Hydrogen lines, indicating that Antares is a cool star and Spica is very hot. I: 03a Observing Sessions & Lab Activity Reports BDM Page 2

3 II - Lab Activities The Lab Activities are usually performed in the classroom. Fundamental to any scientific investigation is an objective report containing the procedures, data collected, results, and conclusions. The main purpose of the report is to enable the student to concisely convey his/her understanding and knowledge of the particular observations, and their outcomes. To this purpose, each Lab requires a Lab Activity Cover Page which contains the following: Identifying information: 1. Your name, and the names of any other students who have worked with you. 2. The date on which the activity was performed. Title - This should be a short, concise (5-12 words), yet descriptive phrase. Introduction/Purpose State the Objective of the Lab Activity (1-3 sentences.) 1. If applicable, include any pertinent background information. 2. Discuss any theoretical considerations that are essential to understanding the activity. Procedure The Materials and Method. 1. Materials - List the equipment, and materials you used to complete the activity. 2. Method - Describe the steps you performed during the investigation. Be specific, but not excessively detailed. Results/Discussion This section is for evaluation of the results within the context of the Objective stated in the Introduction. For those activities that require systematic quantitative measurements, you may find answering some of the following useful (use a narrative form.) 1. How do your results compare with published values? 2. What is the difference with your results and those published elsewhere? 3. What do you think might have contributed to this difference. 4. Are there any ways you might suggest to improve the results? Conclusions A few sentences describing the outcomes of the Lab Activity. If applicable, include any errors you think may have caused discrepancies in results. Data Summery Your actual results (the Lab Activity) will follow the Cover Sheet and will include your Data, Calculations, and any Graphs or Tables, as well as answers to any questions asked in the activity. All data should be presented neatly in tables with appropriate headings. Calculations should be presented neatly, and well organized with all steps shown. Graphs, if required, should be neat and clearly labeled (Refer to the Datasheet on Graphing.) Any additional notes or materials should also be attached. I: 03a Observing Sessions & Lab Activity Reports BDM Page 3

4 Example Lab Report Coconino Community College Astronomy PHY180 Date: MM/DD/YYYY Name: Jack Donner Others: Jill Pass Title: Determining the Relationship between Brightness and Distance of an Illuminated Source Introduction/Purpose: The objective is to investigate how the brightness of a light source changes as the distance is increased from it. Procedure: Materials Used: o 100 watt Light Bulb, o Light Meter, o Meter Stick o Graph Paper, and o Pencil Method: A light was placed on the lab table, and a light meter was positioned at regular distances moving away from the light source. The Intensity readings were measured in milliwatts, as the Distances were measured in 10cm increments moving 10cm to 100cm from the light source. Results/Discussion: Light Intensity readings were recorded in milliwatts at 10cm incremental distances out from a light source. The Data were entered into a table with column headings Brightness and Distance. We first plotted the Intensity (vertical axis) vs. 1/Distance (horizontal axis) in an attempt to see if we got a straight line, which we did not. We then plotted the Intensity vs. 1/Distance 2 which produced a straight line relationship. All the data points appeared to follow the straight line except the fourth data point (40cm) which resulted in a value bit higher than the rest of the trend. Since this was the only point to do so, we attributed it to measurement error. Conclusions: As the light meter is moved away from the light source, the intensity of the illumination falls off. Since the graph of Intensity (I) vs. the Inverse of the Distance squared (1/d 2 ) produces a straight line, this data supports the inverse square relationship between brightness and distance. Hence, the Inverse Square Law in this case can be expressed as: I = K (1/d 2 ), where I is Intensity, d is distance, and K is a constant. I: 03a Observing Sessions & Lab Activity Reports BDM Page 4

5 Maintaining your Lab Reports and Activity Observations, Notes and Calculations 1. All your Lab and Observing Activity Reports should be kept in an orderly fashion in a three-ring binder. 2. Although Labs will often be done with a partner, and observing will be done in small groups, your Activity Reports must be done individually. No Xerox copies of data or write-ups, etc., will be allowed. 3. All Reports must be written in ink (NOT PENCIL), and they must be clear and legible. The only time pencil must be used is when you are taking the initial data, or when you are making drawings of objects, such as planetary and lunar features. 4. Activity Reports should be turned in for grading within the following week of execution. For example: since most activities will be done on Mondays, they should be turned in no later than Wednesday, the following. To Reiterate Taking Data All data (tables, calculations, drawings, graphs, etc.) must be made using a sharp pencil (with an eraser.) NOT IN INK! All Lab Reports and Observing Activities: Must have the proper Cover Page, must be legible, and should be written in ink. If you scribble your information making it difficult to read, you will lose points. Lab Grades The total of your lab grades constitute 30% of your overall Astronomy Class Grade. Each Lab and Observing Activity is graded at 25 points each. Just by handing in all your completed activities you should be able to do well. Telescope Safety Although our classes are held in the evening, for your own safety, should you ever look through a telescope during the day: NEVER, EVER LOOK AT THE SUN THROUGH ANY TELESCOPE!! WITHOUT PROPER FILTERING, PERMANENT BLINDNESS WILL RESULT!! I: 03a Observing Sessions & Lab Activity Reports BDM Page 5