OBJECTIVE: I will be able to navigate through the Stellarium program during today's class.

I will work with my team to learn the names and functions of the equipment we use to make observations.

WORDS FOR TODAY:

• Right Ascension
• Declination
• Sidereal Time
• Transit
• Meridian Flip
• Magnitude
• Size

LINKS:

GHHS Observing Program

CALENDAR:

• Observation plan is due on Friday
• "Practical" Tests will commence on Thursday (Volunteers?) and go through Friday
  • Naming & Describing telescope equipment
  • Using the Clear Skies Chart and/or Clear Skies List

WORK O' THE DAY: 

Make sure you have a copy of your Observation Plan' handy. You'll need to complete that by Friday, but for today we're still practicing

Here's a more advanced problem for you:

• Find a time of year when the Cats Eye Nebula is high in the sky in Gig Harbor.
• Take a look at the properties of that nebular, what makes that object a *poof* choice for your observation plan?

• Where is that object in the sky compared to directly overhead in Gig Harbor on that day?

We'll have a gentle competition to see who can find the day where that object is highest in the sky AT A VIEWABLE TIME -- our most gracious and humble TA's will assist/lead the conversation.

Additionally---

• What type of object is it?
  • Nebulae need Ha, SII & OIII filters
  • Galaxies need Visible light, Visible Red, Visible Blue and Visible Green filters
• What phase of the moon is present?
• Will the moon be an issue?

 

Now we'll practice using the clear skies chart --- please find the Buffalo Camp site on that site:

Go the Clear Skies Map and check the weather for Buffalo Camp tonight or go to the detailed list and find it there

• How is the cloud cover?
• How are the high clouds (transparency)
• What about the seeing (air stability)
• What about darkness?
• Wind? (Why do we care?)
• Humidity? (Why do we care?)
• Temperature? (Why do we care?)

If time permits, please make sure your work is up to date and be sure and run your flash cards too!