To repeat from my initial handout, the point of the observing project is to see how the sky changes over a period of months (September - beginning of December). We will be especially concerned with looking at the Sun, Moon, and/or planets roughly 4-5 times spaced over the semester. The idea is to see for yourself some of the astronomical phenomena that we have been discussing. Note the time and day of your observation. Your notes (1-2 pages) should be handed in by December 1, 2008. It is important that you start the observing at the beginning of the semester in order to have a long time base. This can be undertaken as a group effort, but specify that this is the case and everybody should contribute; I will expect proportionately more from a group than from an individual. It is important that your notes be based on actual observations of the sky and not estimates of what should have been observable. For those with some observing experience, I recommend having a shot at the planet observing.
You should do one of the following:
1. Moon. Observe the moon and note its phase over the next 2-3 months. When you see it, note the day, time, phase and approximate position in the sky, say relative to the Sun (or point of sunset). Note that the moon can be observed during the day. If you look for the moon and do not see it, that can also be a useful observation (if it is not cloudy). What is your estimate of the moon's synodic period, based just on your observations? I know you can look up the answer, but the point is to see how useful a few observations are.
2. Sun. Find a clear western horizon and note where the sun sets against the horizon (can also be done with the rising sun). Look now and space your observations over the next 2-3 months. Always observe from the same place so that you have some landmarks to use for reference. Make a sketch of where the sun sets against the horizon. Estimate any motion on the horizon (over the 2-3 months) in terms of the sun's diameter (half a degree), but do not look directly at the sun. You should find that the sun sets earlier during the semester, so take this into account in finding a time to make the observations. If you are an early riser, it is also possible to do this project with the morning Sun.
3. Planets. This is not a particularly good semester for
planet observations, but there are a couple of possibilities.
The point would be to
make a few observations among the following:
Jupiter should be visible low in the southern evening sky
during the semester.
It is above stars in the constellation Sagittarius; there is one star
directly below it at present.
Try to see how Jupiter moves relative to this star. This will not
be easy and will take patience because Jupiter will move slowly early in the semester.
It will be necessary to make sketches of Jupiter and surroundings to detect its motion.
Venus is coming into the evening sky, but is still quite
close to the Sun.
It would take an open western horizon and a clear evening to see it now.
However, it is bright and will be moving away from the Sun during the semester.
Make a sketch of Venus relative to horizon and Sun (or where Sun sets) several
times during the semester.
Mars, Saturn, and Mercury are not favorable for observation this semester.
Extra credit: If you go considerably beyond the basic requirements on this and do an especially good job, there is the possibility of getting extra credit for an additional 20-30% of the credit for this unit. This can be doing more than 4-5 observations on one topic, or doing more than one topic.