Recommended texts for the course (none required--will use course notes) Observational Astronomy by  Birney, Gonzalez & Oesper Handbook of Astronomical Image Processing by  Berry & Burnell

Time: Mon. 6-9 pm (plus other clear nights) Room: 5th Floor, Faculty Prof. Dale E. Gary Office: Tiernan 101 Office Hours: M 2:00-4:00 pm Phone: (973) 642-7878 e-mail: dgary@njit.edu Course Web Page: http://web.njit.edu/~dgary/322

Readings: Read over the lab assignment before the corresponding class period.

Lab Notebooks: The procedure for each lab is described in the lab assignment.  You must keep a lab notebook containing your notes while you take and analyze your data.  These will be turned in with each lab report.  Lab reports are the final product of each lab assignment, and must be prepared as a separate document, well illustrated and explained.  Neatness and thoroughness counts!

Grades: The course grade will be based on your lab notebooks (30%), lab reports (50%), attendance and class participation (20%). The grading breakdown is as follows:

85-100 %	A
80-84%	B+
70-79%	B
65-69%	C+
50-64%	C
40-49%	D
0-39%	F

Observing Sessions: Attendance is required every Wednesday night (the weekly lecture/demonstration and observing session, cloudy or clear).  Missing, without a doctor's excuse, a Wednesday night on which observing is possible will result in a 5% drop in your grade. Optional observing sessions will also be held each clear Tuesday and Thursday. You are strongly encouraged to come on these nights. All observing sessions are on the roof of Faculty Hall.

Due Dates: The due dates for the assignments are shown below.  You are expected to complete the labs on these dates.  If you have a legitimate excuse for not getting the lab done on time (i.e. equipment or weather not cooperating), seek permission to turn it in late from Prof. Gary.  A late lab without express permission will receive only half credit. Bad weather is NOT an excuse if it is clear on Tuesday/Thursday. In the case of a run of bad weather, you will be supplied with data taken by the instructor on an earlier date, so that lab due dates need not be missed.

Final Project: The "final exam" will consist of a final project of your choice. The final project will count as two labs. A potential list of topics is given below, or you can choose your own. Choice of topic is due on March 21. You should start on your final project by the time we return from spring break, if not before. You should NOT expect to do observations during finals week. Your final project observations need to be completed during the regular semester.

Academic Integrity: NJIT has an honor code (see http://integrity.njit.edu/) that you are all expected to apply rigorously to your conduct in this course. All work that you submit must be your own. All written words and ideas must be your own, unless cited (and using quotes where appropriate). All books, web materials, or other sources that you consult must be included in a bibliography at the end of your report. Any violations will be reported to the Dean of Students.

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The figure and table below show the schedule of due dates for the 7 lab assignments and final project for Spring, 2009.
Click on the links in the table to download the PDF version of the lab assignment.

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Useful Links:

Data Repository Click above for access to your data