Remember our #1 rule - if it's clear outside, then go to the observatory, if it's cloudy then go to the classroom 705. If it's mostly clear then we'll probably still go to the observatory. If it's almost completely cloudy, we'll go to the classroom. If it's questionable and you go to the observatory and no one shows up by 7:15pm, then we must be in the classroom. And vice versa. If the gate to the observatory remains locked and it's cloudy - that's a sure sign we're at the classroom. OK, below is the nightly plan if skies are clear. Note that you should follow your lab book at all times! That means every class night you do your visual variable stars, watch for meteors, and observe binary stars and deep sky objects. When there's a bright moon, we can't do deep-sky photo projects or deep-sky telescope projects, as noted below.
Sept 1: Intro to the course. Project IASC: Discover new Asteroid using your home or Lab Room computers!
Sept 8: 87- moon rises at 9:15pm. Getting started on your lab book projects. (PV Cas 8:24pm)
Sept 15: no moon - dark sky projects. Good astrophotography night. Comet W3 Christensen? (AK Her 10:24pm, PV Cas 8:26pm)
Sept 22: 21+ moon in Libra sets 8:08pm. Good astrophotography night. (AK Her 9:18pm, RY Aqr 10:18pm, PV Cas 8:30pm)
Sept 29: 84+ moon in Aquarius, occultation projects, variable stars, double star projects (Algol 7:50pm)
Oct 6: 90- moon in Taurus, rises 7pm, occultations, variable stars, double star projects - Indoors; Project IASC Ends
Oct 13: no moon. Perfect for dark sky projects and photography. Comet Q3 Siding Spring?
Oct 20: 9+ cresent moon sets in Scorpio before class. Perfect for dark sky projects and photography
Oct 27: .70+ moon. Lunar mountains at-the-telescope project, and occultations
Nov 3: 97- gibbous moon up all night. Few occultations, variable and double star projects.
Nov 10: no moon. Perfect for dark sky projects, photography.
Nov 17: new moon. Perfect for dark sky projects, photography
Nov 24: 53+ moon in Capricorn. Occultations, Lunar mountains at-the-telescope projects (if not done Oct 27)
Dec 1: full moon. Variable stars, double star projects.
Dec 8: no moon, last day to do any observatory projects!
Dec 15: PotLuck and in-class final - convolve together our light curves, assign bonus points, turn in your lab book and framed astro photos.