Syllabus

Download a full course syllabus here.

Course Description

This lab course introduces the use of optical telescopes for precision observations in astronomy. We will learn how to orient and quickly find landmarks in the Northern Sky; practice setting up and using a motor-driven equatorial mount; experiment with camera mount configurations and CCD image processing techniques; and investigate methods for minimizing the impact of air turbulence on astrometric measurements. This course aims to prepare students for future measurements of the bending of starlight during solar eclipses and favorable stellar conjunctions with Jupiter.