Observer's Test

PHYS 232

Identify in the night sky:

• The Big Dipper and Polaris

• Two other bright stars (in different constellations) by name

• Celestial Equator

• Ecliptic Plane

• In which direction stars are moving across the sky (including in which direction they move around Polaris)

• What is the current sidereal time (+/- 2 hours); what is the Right Ascension on the prime meridian

• Two current sky positions (roughly) given their coordinates

At the telescope:

• Open/close the dome and rotate the dome (understand the finesse involved in opening the dome – going to far will get it stuck)

• Operate the “dome flap”

• Remove the tarp from the telescope, remove dew caps

• Install the microfocuser, star diagonal and eyepiece

• Connect power to the telescope and turn on Autostar to enable the paddle

• Align the telescope

• Be able to use the rough and fine focus (rough focus: mirror unlocked; fine focus: mirror locked)

• Acquire a Messier object

• Choose an eyepiece for observing

• Shutdown: stow the telescope and close the dome