Stars, Galaxies, & Universe
Fall 2007


Field Trips:

The second observational field trip for the lab students in 29:50, Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe, will take place the week of November 5. The second trip occurs sufficiently long after the first field trip to show obvious changes in the early evening sky. In addition, we have discussed much more about astronomy, and will be able to see many of the phenomena discussed in class. Finally, spectacular Comet Holmes should still be bright and visible that week, which will provide a nearly unique opportunity for astronomy students. We hope that most of our students will be able to make the field trip to the Palisade-Dows Observatory, a true dark sky site with small and large telescope facilities.

For purposes of scheduling the sessions, students will be divided into two groups, Group A and Group B (imaginative names, eh?). Group A will consist of all the lab sections on Tuesday, and the Friday afternoon section. Group B will consist of the Thursday sections.

The following protocol will be followed in attending the field trip.

  1. Group A will go to Palisade-Dows on Monday, November 5. Meet at the intersection of Linn Street and Jefferson St. at 7PM (see further details below).
  2. Group B will go to Palisade-Dows on Wednesday, November 7. Same time and location for meeting.
  3. Group A students who have work or class conflicts on the 5th should inform their TA of the fact, and go to roof of Van Allen Hall at 8PM on Tuesday, November 6 to do the exercise.
  4. Group B students who have work or class conflicts on the 7th should inform their TA of the fact, and go to roof of Van Allen Hall at 8PM on Thursday, November 8 to do the exercise.
  5. If a student can do neither the assigned field trip, or the alternative sessions on Tuesday or Thursday night, for reasons of work or other university obligations, he or she should contact Dr. Spangler to discuss alternatives at a time that is possible.
  6. Each lab student is asked to contact his or her TA as soon as possible to reserve a spot on the bus. The number of seats on the buses is less than the total lab enrollment, so we need a head count. By all means do this by the end of this week (Friday, November 2), but sooner would be helpful.


The buses for Palisade-Dows will board at 7PM. Meet at the northeast entrance to Van Allen Hall (just across the street from St. Mary's Church). We will arrive at Palisade-Dows at about 7:45 PM. We will leave the observatory shortly after 9PM. You should be back in downtown Iowa City between 9:30 and 10:00 PM.

If we have an observing session, that will satisfy the lab for that week. That is, we will not do both an observing session and the indoor exercise in the same week. For each session (bus field trip as well as session on roof of Van Allen), there is a Go-No-Go (GNG) time scheduled. This is the time that a final decision will be made to go ahead with the observing field trip, or proceed with the normal in-class exercise. An Observing Session On indicator means report to the meeting place for the field trip. An Observing Session Cancelled indicator means that it will probably be cloudy, and that you should report to your regular daytime lab class.

Once again, we realize some students may have difficulty in making these sessions, and may have work or other obligations at these times.
  1. If you cannot make the field trip session assigned to your lab section, attend the roof session assigned to you. If you cannot make that night, but can make the alternate session on the roof, discuss this with your TA. He or she will make the arrangements with the TA of a section that is scheduled for a night you can make.
  2. If you cannot make any of the observing sessions, for good reason (i.e. work, other recognized university functions), then contact Steven Spangler (steven-spanglerATuiowa.edu). Dr. Spangler will organize a special session for those who cannot make it during the week of November 5, or arrange for some equivalent activity. However, this option is only offered to those who have a legitimate reason for not being able to attend the scheduled sessions.


Finally, dress warmly with warm coat, hat, shoes, and socks. It can get cold after a short period of time.

Field Trip Schedule...Week of November 5, 2007

Group Night at 7PM or 8PM Go-No-Go Time Observing Session Status Status of Regular Class
Group A Monday, November 5 Monday, November 5, 5PM OBSERVING SESSION ON-7PM REGULAR CLASS CANCELLED
Group A (alternate) Tuesday, November 6 Monday, November 5, 5PM OBSERVING SESSION ON-8PM REGULAR CLASS CANCELLED
Group B Wednesday, November 7 Wednesday, November 7, 5PM OBSERVING SESSION CANCELLED REGULAR CLASS ON
Group B (alternate) Thursday, November 8 Wednesday, November 7, 5PM OBSERVING SESSION CANCELLED REGULAR CLASS ON

 

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