You may do as many of the following projects as you like. Each project is worth a certain number of points (see below). Each project will be graded and you will receive some or all of the available points.The maximum number of extra credit points that will be applied to your final course grade is 5 points (1/2 letter grade). That is, you may do more than 5 points worth of projects, but you can not earn more than 5 points of extra credit in total.
You may chose any/all of four projects: "Orion", "North Star", "Moonsketch", and "Planetsketch". Each is worth up to 1 point toward your final grade. At a Stargaze, ask a Stargaze staff member for a project sheet and instructions. Turn the project sheet into the staff at the end of the Stargaze.
These projects are intended to be challenging. They are listed roughly in order of increasing difficulty (and point value, given in red). If you choose to do one, ask me and I will give you a sheet of more detailed instructions and helpful hints. The the links below include some hints on constellations and photography. Several projects require equipment which you must supply yourself.
Many of the projects require many short observations made over the course of weeks or months (project description below tagged with "long duration") -- start these projects as early in the semester as you can! No matter which project you chose, don't wait till the end of the semester, or you may be clouded out!
All Advanced Projects must be turned in to Andy by the last day of classes.
Setting Sun: Record the location and time of sunset (or sunrise) at least once per week throughout the semester to discover trends and changes. (2%, long duration)
Measurement of Latitude by Star Trails: Make a half-hour photograph of the trails of rising or setting stars. Use the angle of the trails to the horizon to calculate your latitude. Camera required, you may borrow the class camera. (2%)
Changes in the Sky: Attend two stargaze sessions at least two months apart and carefully record the changes in the sky between the two visits. (2%)
Setting Moon: Record the location and time of moon set and the moon's phase every clear night for two weeks from new to full moon to discover trends and changes. (3%, long duration)
Moon Motion: Record the location in the sky and phase of the moon nightly for two weeks from new to full moon to discover patterns. (3%, long duration)
Midday Altitude of the Sun: Measure the length of a stick's shadow at midday once a week all semester. Use these lengths to calculate the Sun's altitude at midday and note weekly changes. (3%, long duration)
Constellation Album: Photograph at least ten constellations, assemble the photos in an album, and identify each constellation by its connect-the-dots figure. Camera required. (3%)
Motion of a Planet: Select a planet visible in the night sky and carefully measure its position relative to nearby stars once a week all semester to chart its path through the star field. (4%)
Variable Star: Use binoculars to monitor how an assigned star varies in brightness over time. Record how much the brightness changes and how long one cycle of change takes. Your binoculars required. (5%, long duration)
Shape of the Moon's Orbit: Photograph the moon nightly for a month. Measure the changes in its size and discover how its distance from Earth varies during the month. Your camera and telephoto lens required. (5%, long duration)
These projects generally require that the camera you use be able to take a time exposure picture. That is, they must have a "manual" setting where you can keep the shutter open for a specified amount of time (10, 30, 60 seconds, etc). Most "automatic" cameras sold today don't allow you this degree of control, and probably will not produce good results for these projects. However, the more expensive your camera is, the more likely it is to have these "professional" features (a good 35 mm SLR camera, where you can change lenses, is likely to have "manual" settings).
If you are not sure about your camera, bring it in and I can take a look at it (bring the instruction manual if you have it).
If you need a manual camera, I have one (complete with tripod and shutter release) that you may borrow. You may sign it out from my office for 3 nights at a time. First come, first served. Remember two things,
(1) You need a reasonably clear night to take the photos (a few clouds may be ok),(2) There are a dozen other students who may want to borrow the camera too.
So don't wait till the week before the projects are due and expect to be able to borrow the camera. Plan ahead and do the project early.
Here are some hints for successful astro-photography.
For the "Shape of the Moon's Orbit" project, you may be able to use an "automatic" camera as long as it has a good telephoto (zoom) lens, at least 135 mm. An automatic camera (no "manual exposure settings") with a zoom lens may work well here.
Here are some hints for successful astro-photography.
Astro-photography can be a tricky thing. You may need to gain experience with the camera and with selecting exposure times. Your first roll of film may not produce the results you want, but by learning from your experiences, a second roll probably will. For each exposure you take, make a record of things like
When you get the photos back from the processor, see if you can figure out what techniques produced the best results, and try them again if necessary.
Bracketing is a good idea. This means take more than one photo of each subject, but use a different exposure time for each. For example, your project recommends you take a 60 second exposure of a certain constellation. Take a 60 sec exposure, a 20 sec exposure, and a 180 sec exposure (1, 1/3, and 3x the recommended exposure). It is likely that one of these 3 photos will "get it right", so you won't have to go back on another night, with another roll of film, and do it all again.
Ask me if you would like a paper star chart. These are handy for use outside when you are learning to recognizee different constellations and their relative positions in the sky.
If you are trying to recognize constellations in photos you have taken, it may be easier to use one of the websites listed below.