Remember this 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 probably we'll 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. OK, below is the nightly plan if skies are clear. (35%+ moon means a waxing (+) cresent moon 35% sunlit and therefore 65% of it is dark).Note that you should follow your lab book at all times! That means every class night you do your variable stars, watch for meteors, and try for binary stars and deep sky objects. There may be special events or opportunities which I'll highlight below, including eclipsing binaries and their predicted times of minima. If possible, I'll try to set up the photometer for some of these.
Feb 19: 99+ moon, nearly full. Tough to do any sky work. Work on our photo project ideas in room 705.
Feb 26: No moon: Perfect for photo projects and deep sky searches. W UMa 9:20pm, YY Eri @ 9:30pm
Mar 4: No moon: photo, deep sky projects. W UMa 9:22pm, IU Aur 8:24pm
Mar 11: 25+ cresent moon in Aries. Lunar occultations. YY Eri @ 10:06pm PDT, lambda Tau @ 10:12pm, W UMa 10:30pm
Mar 18: 93+ moon in Leo. No photo projects, RS CVn 10:30pm
Apr 1: No moon. Dark sky projects. SZ Her 10:12pm, u Her 9:36pm
Apr 8: 13+ cresent moon grazes Plieades at 7:30pm
Apr 15: 83+ moon. Lunar occultations
Apr 22: No moon, AM Leo 9:40pm
Apr 29: No moon. Twilight ends at 9pm
May 6: 4+ cresent moon in Taurus. AG Vir 9:48pm, U Oph 9:24pm
May 13: 70+ moon - do lunar mountains lab, AK Her 9:55pm, AR Lac 11:12pm
May 20: 99- moon rises at 9:23pm at end of twilight. Meet at observatory ONLY if it's crystal clear. Otherwise, in 705.
May 27: No moon. Alas, we must be in the classroom so you can finish processing your photos.
Jun 3: Final exam week. Meet in 705, work on combining our variable star charts, bring pot-luck snacks and sweets, turn in your lab book.