Time: T: 12:00 to 12:50 PM Place: N379 Trafton Required Text Book: Howell (2000) "Handbook of CCD Astronomy" My office is Room 346, Wissink Hall. Phone: (389)-1840 email: paul.eskridge@mnsu.edu Office Hours: M:12-5, T:10-11, W:12-2, H:11-1 Course Web-page: http://odin.physastro.mnsu.edu/~eskridge/astr354/
Course Syllabus and Information
The basic format of the course will be as follows: We will meet occasionally at the scheduled (day-time) meeting time. We will also meet at night at Andreas Observatory.
The main project for the semester will be to obtain and analyse calibrated multi-color surface photometry of a spiral and an elliptical galaxy. If the data for this project are obtained early and easily, we will attempt some other observing projects. The level of write-up expected for any such projects will not be as high as that for the primary project.
All students will be required to design an observing program involving imaging photometry of extended sources that is possible to accomplish with facilities that currently exist. This program does not have to be something that we can do at Andreas, but it must be possible to do someplace. It should have a clear scientific goal, and the required signal to noise, and observing time need to be worked out properly. This project is due by noon Monday May 7th.
There will be no exams.
At the end of the semester, we will set up times to discuss the course on an individual basis. Essentially, I will be asking you what grade you should get in the class. If our ideas on that differ we can discuss the matter. I am quite serious about this -- I will not assign you a grade until after you meet with me.