MSE 2151: Astronomy Laboratory - Stars

Please refer to this page for the latest information on the course. Syllabus in pdf format is available here.

Course description

In the lab we will explore the basics of working with numbers, units, graphs and using the computer to
get scientific results. We will touch upon energy transport in stars, telescope operation, the basics of
spectroscopy and spectral classification, study the effects of our atmosphere on astronomical
observations, discuss how we measure the temperature of a star, how we determine astronomical
distances using the parallax method and H-R diagram fitting, how we measure the masses of other
galaxies, and finally, focus on the expansion of the Universe. In parallel, we will use the Villanova
Public Observatory to observe the night sky and describe our experience using real astronomical
instrumentation.

This course aims to offer a joyful, meaningful, and empowering experience to every participant; we
will build that rich experience together by devoting our strongest available effort to the class. You will
be challenged and supported. Please be prepared to take an active, critical, patient, and generous role in
your own learning and that of your classmates.

Course objectives:

Once you have successfully completed the Astronomy Laboratory – Stars course, you will be able to:

• explain the steps in the scientific method of inquiry, which involves gathering observable,
  empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning, and recognizing
  that reproducible observation of a result is necessary for a theory to be accepted as valid by the
  scientific community;
• analyze specific examples of how the scientific method has been used in the past to collect data
  through observation and experimentation, and to formulate, test and reformulate hypotheses
  about the physical universe; evaluate scientific information from a variety of sources and use
  that information to articulate well-reasoned responses to scientific concerns;
• interpret scientific data – graphs, tables and equations – and highlight the importance of physical units;
• have the foundation for conducting your own scientific experiments and astronomical observations;
• gain proficiency with the basic astronomical vocabulary related to astronomical observations;
• gain independence and critical thinking when interpreting information encountered in the media.

Course material:

Astronomy Lab Manual -- Stars, Spring 2020 Edition

Weekly schedule (subject to change due to University closures or unforeseen events):

Course work and grading

There are 13 labs that comprise this course. Each lab is graded on a 0 to 100 scale, each lab contributes equally to the final grade.

Note that two of the labs, “Lab A: Working with Numbers, Graphs and the Computer” and
“Observatory Lab”, happen outside of normal lab hours. The first lab is a take-home lab. For the
second, you are required to visit the observatory on a clear night and write a 2 page report that
describes your visit. Include sky conditions, information on the telescope that you used, and celestial
objects that you observed. There is no makeup for the Observatory Lab, so exercise due vigilance and
do not postpone this to the end of the semester as weather might be unfavorable for observing. Bad
weather is no excuse for missing this lab assignment.

The final grade is determined according to the following breakdown: