Text: Nightwatch: A Practical Guide
to Viewing the Universe, T. Dickinson, **4th edition (revised and expanded through 2018);
SC1
and SC2 star charts, Sky Publishing Co.
Emphasis will be placed on your field notes which are derived, in general, from the book. Numerous handouts will also be used for course study.
Meeting Times: Thursday, June 5, 6pm-11pm, Friday June 6, 4pm-12am, Saturday, June 7, 4pm-12am, Sunday, June 8, 9am-noon.
Observing Sessions: Weather permitting, observing sessions will be held in front of the KEEC kitchen area. Comfortable, warm clothing and insect repellant are recommended. Dress in excess for the weather is a good rule. Several Newtonian-type reflectors and a few Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) type telescopes serve as our base telescopes. Detailed lunar, planetary, and stellar observations are planned as is a general tour of the night sky. We are hoping the law of averages work in our favor for at least one or two clear nights of the three selected under KEEC's darker skies. This gives us the potential for an entire night, or two, hopefully three, of concentrated observing and an opportunity to see things not possible from Ypsilanti's evening skies. Staying at the facility's dorm/kitchen area is recommended for this reason... Mr. Vance wants to observe as much as possible, beyond the course midnight end time if weather permits so students can see all they can under those skies! See the modest cost schedule for room and board per Mr. Ben Czinski printed below...
Reading Assignments, Quizes, and Grading: Reading assignments are given during lecture. Given our short stay, course emphasis will be on an experience first hand of our place in the universe, the general layout of the stars and constellations, and the equipment a typical backyard astronomer might use. A total of two short answer, multiple choice, and chart identification quizes will be given during our time at KEEC. Your final grade will be based upon the numerical average of these two quizzes plus general performance with the equipment on hand*.
Chapter
Quiz
1
1 Discovering the
Cosmos
2 The Universe in
Eleven Steps
3 Backyard Astronomy
4 Stars for all Seasons
Our
place in the universe, charts, constellations,
star identification, SC1 and SC2 charts
6 Probing the Depths
Catalogs,
"deep sky" objects - clusters, nebulae, galaxies,
Quiz 2
8 Moon and Sun
Lunar and solar features, lunar phases
7 The Planets
10 Comets, Meteors, Auroras
Objects
of the solar system
5 Stargazing Equipment
11 Photographing the Night Sky
Telescopes and binoculars, astrophotography using CCD and digital imaging
Grade Scale:
Letter grades are assigned according to the following scale:
A 95-100 C
72-76
A- 90-94
C- 70-71
B+ 87-89
D+ 67-69
B 82-86
D 62-66
B- 80-81
D- 60-61
C+ 77-79
E 59-0
Equipment Usage and Supplies: Given the fragile nature of the expensive equipment you will be using, do not hesitate to ask questions if you are uncertain about operation. Work slowly and carefully... ask classmates for assistance. Please return items to their proper storage place before leaving for the evening. Photography equipment will be demonstrated by the instructor so no advance purchase of equipment is necessary. If you do own your own telescope, you are welcome to bring it to use.
Note that the EMU Astronomy Club is an active, ongoing student organization.. Members have been invited to attend this session and are a valuable resource of knowledge and assistance. Attending their meetings, time and place are announced on their web page, is an excellent way to supplement your class experience and gain additional observing time.
Some select observing events for course:
A waxing crescent moon will appear in the western sky each evening; Mars and Saturn are in the west after sunset; Jupiter rises in the southeast, late. We should see a host of spring and summer time Messier "deep sky" objects including galaxies, globular star clusters, open star clusters, nebulae, and binary star systems. The summer Milky Way rises along the eastern horizon each night. Additionally, a couple of short hikes on KEEC's wonderful trails are planned and even a scale model rocket launch. The daytime hours also permit safe solar observations using "white light" filters and specially designed Hydrogen-alpha and Calcium telescopes, also provided.
Contact my web site for additional information at http://www.physics.emich.edu/nvance Note: this course does not substitute for the ASTR 315/591 class offered each Fall term on the EMU main campus. It is highly recommended for teachers looking to satisfy summer field credit requirements.
Dear Fish Lake Participant,
Congratulations on choosing to take a class at EMU's Kresge Environmental Education Center at Fish Lake. If you are interested in staying and or eating at Fish Lake all you will need to do is to show up about a half hour before your class starts to make all necessary arrangements. Meals start at Lunch on your first day of class and end on Lunch the last day of class for each week your class meets. Meals missed because of scheduled field trips have already been deleted. There are three options available, Lunches only, Room only, and Full Ride. Meals are going to be catered by a local restaurant and will not include beverages, so please bring your own drinks, a refrigerator is available. Please bring a check Made out to Eastern Michigan University or have the correct change if paying in cash. Additional nights may be arranged at an additional $9.00 per night. Additional meals, (if being offered) may be arranged at $5.00/breakfast, 6.50/lunch, and 6.50/dinner.
NHV: Lunches only - $52.00, Room Only - $45.00, Full Ride, (5 nights & 18 meals) - $154.50
Systematic Botany: Lunches only - $58.50, Room Only - $54.00, Full Ride, (3 nights & 9 Meals) - $181.50, (6 nights & 21 meals)
Spring Ecology: Lunches only - $19.50,
Astronomy: Room Only - $27.00,
Issues in Ell. Sch. Curc.: Room Only - $27.00, (3 nights). Meals will be on your own, usually as a group somewhere in town or having them brought in.
You will need to bring your own bedding, towels, pillows,
toiletries, and beverages.
You can find an access map here
http://www.ce.emich.edu/keec/contact.html. >
Thanks,
Ben Czinski
Resident Director
EMU's Keec at Fish Lake
2816 Fish Lake Rd.
Lapeer, MI 48446
810-667-2350
www.ce.emich.edu/keec