PHYSICS 322 OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY
COURSE OUTLINE (SPRING 2019)

Time: Tue. 6-9 pm (plus other clear nights. After Day Light Savings begins, 7-10 pm)
Room: 106 Faculty Memorial Hall/Observatory
Prof. Hyomin Kim
Office: Tiernan Hall 104
Office Hours: Mon. 2:00-4:00 pm
Phone: (973) 596-5704
e-mail: hmkim@njit.edu
Personal Web Page: http://web.njit.edu/~hmkim
Course Web Page: http://web.njit.edu/~hmkim/phys322/phys322.html

A. DESCRIPTION
The emphasis of this course is observations of celestial objects using a telescope system. This is largely a lab-based, hands-on course in which students learn to use a telescope and CCD camera system to obtain, present and analyze astronomical data using computional tools such as Python, IDL and Matlab. Prerequisite: PHYS320 (Astronomy and Astrophysics I)

B. ORGANIZATION
Readings: Read over the lab assignment before the corresponding class period.Some basics are described here. For further information, read Lecture 1 and Lecture 2 of Phys 321.
Observing Sessions: Attendance is required every Tuesday night (the weekly lecture/demonstration and observing session, cloudy or clear).  Missing, without a doctor's excuse, a Tuesday night on which observing is possible will result in a 5% drop in your grade. All observing sessions are at the observatory on the roof of Faculty Hall. Keep in mind that we may have to move the observing night to a different night due to weather.
Lab Report Due Dates: The due dates for the assignments are shown below.  You are expected to complete the labs on these dates (by 11:59:59 Eastern Time).  If you have a legitimate excuse for not getting the lab done on time (i.e. equipment or weather not cooperating or due to sickness), seek permission to turn it in late from Prof. Kim. Otherwise, you will receive 10% reduction in credit per day for a late lab report. 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 imaging project to be done at UACNJ (uacnj.org), Jenny Jump State Forest. The final project will count as two labs. The observations will be done in an overnight session some time during finals week (or just before).
Data Repository: NJIT Google Team Drive will be used to share data.

C. TEXT AND REQUIRED SUPPLIES
Textbook (desired but not required in class): Observational Astronomy 2nd Edition, D. Scott Birney, Guillermo Gonzalez, and David Oesper, Cambridge University Press 2006.
Lab Notebooks (required!): National Brand Laboratory Notebook (something like this). 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, written in Word or some similar word processor, are the final product of each lab assignment, and must be prepared as a separate document, well illustrated and explained (Sample lab report). Neatness and thoroughness counts! Read Tips for Writing Lab Reports.
Computer and Software: A personal computer is necessary for data analysis. It is recommended to install Aladin, an interactive sky atlas (see Lab 1 below) before the first class. A programming language to read astronomical data (*.fits) should be installed on your computer. Python is highly recommended.
Bundle up!: Most class time will be spent in our observatory using the telescope. It can be cold outside. Prepare warm clothes.

D. GRADES
The course grade will be based on your lab reports (70%), attendance and class participation (30%). The grading breakdown is as follows:

E. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
NJIT has an honor code (see University Code on Academic Integrity) 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.

Again, this is a lab-based course where each student is expected to use the telescope and obtain data. No bystanders allowed!

F. SCHEDULE
The table below shows the schedule of due dates for the 6 lab assignments and final project for Spring, 2019. Click on the links in the table to download the PDF version of the lab assignment.

Useful Links:

Last Update: January 15, 2019