Objects you are expected to see through a telescope this semester:
(Fall 2009)

Check the Scoring Criteria for these papers before turning this project in.

See the CYPRUS  web page to help you identify what you are seeing regarding planetary moons

Visible Planets: 
You are expected to observe through the telescope each of the objects underlined below.

(Refer to your Current Sky Map for specific information)

Mercury  (N/A)
Venus  (N/A)
Mars  (N/A)
Jupiter (August, September, October, November)
Saturn  (N/A)
Uranus  (August, September, October)
Neptune  (August, September, October)
Pluto (August)
Observing Sheet to use for Planets:   Click here

To calculate magnification, refer to chapter 6 in your textbook.  Or, go here




Deep Sky Objects:  
You are expected to observe one of the indicated objects from each group below through the telescope during the semester.

Binary Star system: 
     (eg. Alberio, Lyr, Cyg, Almach)

Globular Star cluster: 
     (eg. M13, 47 TUC, NGC 1818, NGC 290, M55, M3, NGC 5139 N39, M11, M15, M2, M9, M4, M3, M80 etc.)

Open Star cluster: 
     (Wild Duck Cluster/open, M45, M67, M47, NGC 2169, NGC 869 & 884, M7, M39, M35, NGC 2138, M38, NGC 4755, M103, M6, M44, M50 etc.) 

Spiral Galaxy: 
     (eg. M51, Whirlpool, UMa, CVn)

Planetary Nebula:  
    (eg. Ring, Eagle, Dumbell, Trifid, Omega etc.)

Star-Forming Nebula:
     (Specifically, the Orion Nebula (M42) for spring & fall semester classes.  Visible from early November to mid March)

Charles Messier catalogue  (M)


Required General observing Sheet for Stars, galaxies and/or nebulae must be used:  Click here
To calculate magnification, refer to chapter 6 in your textbook.  Or, go here

(This list will change from one semester to another. Always refer to your Current Sky Map for information)





The Lab Assistant at Stargazer Observatory will need to sign each of your telescopic observations legibly if you expect full credit.

Papers received without Lab Assistant signature verifying the observation was completed:  5 point penalty
Miscalculated or missing magnification calculation for telescope used:  3 point penalty
Papers turned in without a typed (word processed) 50 work description of the object:  3 point penalty
Handwritten (scribbled) 50 word paragraphs:  2 point penalty
Spelling errors:  3 point penalty
Papers not stapled together, subtract one point.
As always, late papers are not accepted.  Deadline is a self-defining term.
Duplicate types objects (more than one of the same kind) will not count toward Extra Credit

If another class is at the observatory and they are concentrating on other objects than the ones listed above, 
you may substitute any binary star sytem, spiral galaxy or globular star cluster etc. for the above objects. If you 
observe additional objects, they will be counted as Extra Credit (1 XC point per each) if the object description is properly 
completed as defined on your observing sheet.      Be sure to adequately IDENTIFY what the object is.  (e.g. if you are 
looking at a galaxy, identify the type of galaxy as well as its name.)

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(Last update:  9-13-09)