Objectives:

The student will be able to:
- assemble a telescope tripod.
- assemble a Celestron telescope.
- identify and use all the adjustments on the telescope.
- select and find a bright object using the telescope.
- calculate the field of view and magnification of various eyepieces.
- align the telescope with the Earth's axis of rotation.
- use the telescope to find objects invisible through the finder.
- locate major points or reference on the celestial sphere.
- determine the relative ages of a set of lunar features.
- locate and sketch several types of telescopic lunar features.
- observe and sketch inferior planet motion.
- calculate an inferior planets sidereal period.
- calculate and inferior planets distance from the Sun.
- position the phases and aspects of an inferior planet.
- observe and sketch superior planet motion.
- calculate an superior planets sidereal period.
- calculate and superior planets distance from the Sun.
- position the phases and aspects of an superior planet.
- construct an astrolabe.
- plot the azimuth and altitude of objects using an astrolabe.
- identify various types of celestial objects through the telescope.
- identify and locate all the bright stars and planets visible during the semester.
- identify and locate the brighter constellations visible during the semester.
- use several types of star charts to find defined times and locations.
- sketch the apparent path of a celestial object from any latitude.
- sketch the Suns apparent path for all seasons at any latitude.
- calculate the Suns noon position for all seasons at any latitude.
- calculate time anywhere in the world by knowing longitudes.
- estimate and calculate an objects position by using the azimuth/altitude system.
- estimate and calculate an objects position by using the equatorial system.
- estimate an objects brightness by using apparent brightness reference stars.
- list, sketch, and identify the phases of the moon for a month.
- determine the past and future north stars over a 26,000 year period.
- collect all basic information in a lab notebook.