Download a .doc version of the Project and Paper Guidelines HERE Download .doc copies of the Observing Projects: Project 1 Project 2 Project 3 Project 4 Project 5 Project 6a Project 6b
Sundial: Elizabeth
Horizon Calendar: Rachel
Lunar Phases: Elizabeth
Constellations: John
Eratosthenes: Rachel
Astrology: Rachel
SkyGazer: John
The Observing Project Instructions (Handbook) can be purchased at the CU Book Store.
Hand these in anytime during the term but two of them are due no later than Oct 23rd. The remaining 2 are due no later than Dec 3rd. (Worth 25% of course grade).
You must complete at least 4 of the 7 observing projects (Project #6 has two parts (a) and (b); you can choose to do either but not both). It is highly recommended that Observing Project #3: Lunar Phases be one of the 4 you do this term. There will be a question on the Midterm Exam on Lunar Phases so that it will be best to do this observing during the Aug or Sept lunar cycle.
We have structured each of the observing projects so that there is a portion of the work that can be (but is not required to be) done as a group. The remaining portion of each project must be completed individually so that an individual grade can be assigned. ***Recall the CU Honor Code***.
The observing projects have the following time constraints:
#1. Sundial Project: Requires observations to be made both before and after local noon (1pm during daylight savings time), requires a minimum of two days of observations, and requires some observing close to the fall equinox (Sept. 22-23). Although if you miss the equinox observation, you can still do the project, it will just be a bit harder to figure out.
#2. Horizon Calendar: Requires a minimum of 8 observations (8 days) either at sunrise or sunset. It is requested but not required that one of these observations be made close to the fall equinox (Sept 22-23).
#3. Lunar Phases: You will need to observe the moon in the early evening for a minimum of once every 3-4 days and, after full moon, in the morning for a minimum of once every four days. The observation set must last one full lunar "month." Cloudy nights do not count as observations. Consult your syllabus or a calendar for approximate lunar phases. Day zero (0) is a new moon and for Fall term, 2014 is either: Aug 24th, Sept 23rd, Oct 23rd, or Nov 21st.
#4. Constellation Project: This project requires a minimum of one night's observing when the moon is down or new (i.e., no moonlight in the sky). You will need to go to a dark site for a minimum of one hour and spend a small amount of time looking at the sky outside your home. We will announce opportunities to go as a group to a dark site. Constellation identifications will be covered in lecture at various times during the term and help with constellations will be available on the observing nights on campus.
#5. Eratosthenes Challenge: This project can be done at any time. The 100 yard tape measure can be checked out from the front desk of the Fiske Planetarium. We will announce when Folsom Field is open for your use as well.
#6. The (a) Astrological Birth Chart or (b) SkyGazer projects do not require making sky observations. Choose (a) or (b) but not both. These can be done at any time before Oct 23rd. We will announce help sessions for these projects at a later time.
#7 Lunar Eclipse: While it's a lot of fun to see a Total Lunar Eclipse, the success of this project depends entirely on the weather on the night of Oct. 7th/8th. The eclipse starts in Boulder at ~4:15am with observations required for 2 hours following. Pre-cursor observations are required 3-10 days prior to the eclipse.