ASTR-902 Sky Watch: Introductory Astronomy
This is an introductory course in observational astronomy. Students will learn to identify the major bright stars, constellations and planets of the winter sky. They will observe and discuss the causes for the celestial motions of the Earth plus its seasons, the sun, the moon, plus its phases and the planets. Students will also gain practical skills in using star maps to locate constellations, star clusters and nebulae, selecting and using amateur telescopes and binoculars, and understanding the celestial coordinate system. Stellar magnitudes and colors, and observational phenomena, such as solar and lunar eclipses, meteor showers and comets will also be discussed. Field trips to a planetarium and evening sky observing sessions with a telescope are scheduled.