report about 1000 levels stars and galaxy

Saint Mary's University! AST.1001.2A & 2B Dept. of Astronomy! January 2016, Winter Term Major Assignment (Value 20%)! Due Date: March 29. 2016

Note: Suggested word counts are for guidelines only. Do not be afraid to pass in less of high quality work, or more if you feel it is necessary. They must be machine printed, very clear and set up in an attractive 8.5” x 11” format. In major assignments, appearance counts! Do not forget to include your bibliography if your project includes a written component. This assignment is to be handed in to me directly. Do not put it into the minor assignment drop box.

Choose one of the following options, or contact me to discuss a possible additional project.

1) Use the Burke Gaffney Observatory to locate and sketch one of the brighter deep space objects currently visible.  The telescope operator will have a list of suggestions. Download a few images of this object from the Internet. Compare the two images, and research more information about the type of object you've captured. Write a short paper (500 words or so) answering such questions as what is it, how did it form, how long will it last, is it visibly changing in any way in an observable time frame? Finally, describe for me what it might be like to see this object from a very close distance. Try to be scientifically accurate in your description.   The BGO is accessed via the stairwell on the 22nd floor of the Loyola Residence. To gain access to

the residence, inform the residence desk that you need to access the observatory – your name is on their access list. The BGO hours are 7-11pm Wednesdays and Thursdays (starts a bit later in March). The telescope operators for the BGO are Chris Cooke and Tiffany Fields. They are reachable at [email protected]. They will operate the observatory and its telescope for you. More information about the observatory is at www.ap.smu.ca/bgo (be sure to check “Astronomy Student Info” menu item on the right.

It is only open if the skies are clear. You can get updates on its status on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/bgobs. These messages are updated by about 5pm. The number in the observatory (only answered when it’s open) is 420-5896.

2) Sketch a detailed map of the moon through a telescope operating at a magnification of 50 times or higher. This could be the BGO, or a telescope you own or borrow. Your sketch should show the major features visible, and some detail. Take your time, and use a soft pencil. This task is more difficult than it sounds, but the results can be quite satisfying. Include with your drawing a short (200 words) note about when, where, what instrument used the sky conditions and your “feelings” about the effort…. I suspect you will never look at the moon in the same way again.

3) Obtain an 'all sky' chart for the current month from the observatory, or from me, or from www.ap.smu.ca/pr/images/observatory/bgocharts.pdf. Find a nice dark place to observe the evening sky. Using the sky chart, orientate yourself with the brighter stars in the sky and use the chart to "get your bearings". Now, lay back, and watch for satellites. When you see one, note on the chart where it was when you first sighted it, and then follow the satellite as long as you can, and note the spot where it disappears. Draw a line connecting the two points, thus plotting the satellites track

in the sky on your star chart. Watch for an hour, and write up a short note describing the experience, the conditions, the weather and so on. Check online to see if you can identify which satellite you have observed. Comment on the amount of objects you see and the implications for low Earth orbiting space flight.

4) From a specific location, (i.e., your bedroom window, or whatever) sketch or photograph the exact sunrise point for a bunch of different dates. Show how the sun moves further north as the year progresses. Include a short (300 words or so) write up explaining in your own words what causes this seasonal movement of the sunrise point back and forth along the eastern horizon.

5) Study and sketch one of the major constellations in the night sky. Locate one of the brighter constellations, and sketch all the stars in it that are visible from a location inside the urban area of Halifax, Include all of the constellation's area. Now travel to a dark sky location, at least 20 kilometers away from any urban light pollution, and "fatten" the same sketch by adding the additional stars that are now visible Use a different symbol for each of the new faint stars that you can now see. Write a short note (500 words or so) about light pollution.

6) Choose a specific object from the following list of types of objects.

1) nebulae 2) open cluster 3) globular cluster 4) dark nebulae 5) super nova remnant 6) galaxy

Then: Use internet research (include your list of URLs) to write a 1000-1200 word paper about your chosen object. Please include graphics where applicable.

The types of questions you should answer might include the following:

How big is it? How long has it been there. Describe its basic characteristics. What is its composition? Can we observe it? How? How long will it last. Could there be life there? Is it beautiful? Exactly how did it form?