Observing
Observing & Planetarium Sessions

This project is designed to give you a taste of real observational astronomy. You will see demonstrations with our digitial planetarium, and make observations from the Astronomy Department telescopes at the Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium at 355 Prospect Street. Important information related to the observing session is given on this page.
 
Assignment: There are 2 parts to this assignment. 1. See a demonstration at the planetarium. 2. Observe several astronomical objects with telescopes, and complete a written assignment based on your observations. The combination is worth 10% of the final grade: attending the planetarium demo is worth 2%, and completing the observing assignment is worth 8%.
 
Pre-Assignment: The assignment you will need to complete BEFORE going to the observatory is given here. You will need to hand in this completed pre-assignment when you arrive at the observatory. This will count as a "lab ticket", which will allow you to complete the rest of the assignment. Section II of the observing assignment will be given to you once you arrive at the telescope.
 
When: The session at the observatory will take 2-2.5 hours, including both the planetarium demonstration and the observing assignment. The written assignment must be completed and handed in before you leave the observatory. We plan to hold 2 sessions, and you need to come to only one of them. If an observing session must be rescheduled due to bad weather, this web page will be updated by 6:00pm on the day of the observing.
 
Upcoming Observing Sessions:
Date: Time: Status:
Wed, April 10, 2019 7:30pm OFF
Thurs, April 11, 2019 7:30pm OFF
Tues, April 16, 2019 8:00pm OFF
Wed, April 17, 2019 7:30pm Completed
Wed, April 24, 2019 7:30pm Completed

Status Explanation:
ON: The observing night will go on as scheduled.
OFF: The observing night has been cancelled, probably due to weather.
Undetermined: We haven't made the decision if the observing night will go on or not.
Completed: We successfully observed on that night.

  Where/Directions: All observing sessions will be held at the student observatory. The observatory is located at 355 Prospect Street, just North of Science Hill, and next to (just South of) the Betts House (formerly Davies Mansion), A map showing the location of the observatory is here. If you are driving, go north on Prospect Street, and take the first right after Edwards Street onto a paved driveway, just beyond a chain link fence. There is a small blue sign. There is parking available next to the observatory.

  Taking the Yale Bus to the Campus Observatory: Take the regular Yale shuttle bus from the gate at Silliman College. This will head up Prospect Street. Tell the driver you want to be dropped off at the Campus Observatory, 355 Prospect, Farnham Gardens. (I think the following bus information is still correct but I'm not sure... You should check bus info yourself!) These busses run every 15 minutes. The best ones to take leave Silliman at 6:45pm, 7:00pm, 7:15pm, 7:30pm, 7:45pm, 8:00pm, 8:15pm, 8:30pm, 8:45pm, 9:00pm, 9:15pm, 9:30pm. The ride should take 5 minutes. You will be dropped off at the street, and will need to walk up the driveway to the observatory. We can call for a return bus.

  What to Bring:

  • 1. Completed Pre-Assignment ("Ticket")!
  • 2. Warm Clothes ! (we will be outside, and it could be cold.)
  • 3. Flashlight (if you have one or can borrow one).
  • 4. Pencil & Solid writing surface (e.g. book) to help you make the sketches.

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    Maintained by Jeff Kenney Last modified: 4/30/19