Credit Hours: 2
Prerequisites: Astronomy I (Astr-1010) and Astronomy II (Astr-1020) with a grade of B- or better, or permission of instructor. Enrollment is limited to 10 students.
Location: Harry D. Powell Observatory & Online Activities
Instructor: Dr. Gary Henson      Email: hensong@etsu.edu
Office: Brown Hall Room 272         Phone: (423)-439-6906
Alternate Contact:  Dr. Beverly Smith (smithbj@etsu.edu)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: An independent study, self-paced hands-on laboratory course on variable stars and CCD photometry.

SPECIFIC COURSE RULES AND REQUIREMENTS:

• There will be no lectures in this course. This is solely a self-paced laboratory.
• Students must complete online homework and stellar observations throughout the semester.
• Students will make approximately weekly observations of variable stars using the 14-inch Celestron Telescope at the Harry D. Powell Observatory (students must be supervised until trained). At least seven observations must be made over the course of the semester, spread out over a baseline of at least five weeks (preferably longer).
• Students are responsible for the proper set-up and shutdown of the telescope.
• The telescope will be available for use normally every clear night, except for the nights when the telescope is scheduled for use in labs or with the public. See the instructor at the beginning of the semester for orientation.
• From the observations, the absolute visual magnitudes of each star must be extracted, as well as uncertainties on the measurements.
• The final data set must be submitted to the web site of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO).
• A final written report is required at the end of the semester. This report is due BEFORE finals week begins.
• Course grade is based on homework, number and quality of observations, and the final report.