Homework, Labs and other handouts

last update: April 17, 2006

Copies of Homework and Lab assignments are distributed in class.   Graded homework assignments will be handed back in class.  For Practice Quiz assignments, you must click on "Current Assignment" in Mastering Astronomy and access the questions there, in order for your grade to be recorded.

If you miss class,  you can download a copy of the labs or homeworks here.

Practice Quiz #1 for Chapter 1  
Due Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006, before class.

Click here for an alternate assignment

If you handed in the quiz as a hard copy, PLEASE also try to log on to the Mastering Astronomy web site again, and "sign up" for the class.

It is not possible to turn off the "penalize for wrong answer" feature for the multiple choice quizzes. 
If you submit the quiz with the correct answers for all the questions,  we will give you full credit, no matter how many wrong answers you clicked on first.

Telescope Observing Lab :  due Tuesday, May 2, in class.
    Telescopes will be open beginning Jan. 23.

 If you turn in your Lab on or before April 25, I will grade and return it by April 27 and you may resubmit it on May 2.

     Sign up sheets will be posted in the Steward astronomy building across from Room 204.

    Template Observation Page:  PDF .    (You need 5 copies of the observation page)

Homework #1:   Invent a Constellation -- Due Tuesday,  Jan. 24 in class

Starry Night Lab : Due Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2006, in class.
This lab teaches you how to use the virtual planetarium program Starry Night Enthusiast, which is loaded onto all the computers in the Information Commons.
    Cheat sheet (introduction) for the Starry Night software.

    SOLUTION TO STARRY NIGHT LAB

Practice Quiz #2 for Chapter 2 and S1
Due Tuesday Jan. 31, 2006, by the beginning of class.

You must "join" the class on the Mastering Astronomy Web Site.  If you are still unable to do this,
 email Prof. Bechtold the following:  your name, your Mastering Astronomy User Name, and Mastering Astronomy Password. 
We'll ask the webmaster to list you in the class.

Practice Quiz Set #3
Due Friday, Feb 10, 2006 by noon. 
At noon, the answers will be posted.
Covers Chapters 3,4,7,8,13

Practice Quiz Set #4
Due Feb. 28, by noon
Answers will be posted at noon.

Homework #2Map a Planet
Due Tuesday, March 7, in class

Practice Quiz Set #5
Due March 9, by noon.
Answers will be posted after lunch.

Homework #3Fractals and Chaos
Due Tuesday, March 21, 2006 in class

Solar observing lab activity
This will be done in class on March 21.
Link to NASA page with Solar Images

Practice Quiz Set #6
Due March 21, by noon

Practice Quiz Set #7
Due April 6, by noon

Homework #4:  Ages of Star Clusters
Due April 13, in class
Table 1 and Table 2
M45 data
47Tuc data
Graph paper for M45:  Postscript  PDF
Graph paper for 47Tuc:  Postscript  PDF

Practice Quiz Set #8
Due Tuesday, April 18, by noon

Practice Quiz Set #9
Due Tuesday, April 25

Questions to look at for the Chapter 21-24 practice quizzes

Extra Credit Assignment for students getting low C's or lower on exams