Astronomy: LOOK UP-
Observe the past to see the future
Updated, May 2004

The Merle A. Starr Observatory, located on the University of Portland campus, houses the historical McIntosh-Gee 1:10 replica of the Hale telescope at Mt. Palomar. Its 20'' honey-combed Pyrex mirror was one of three blanks cast by Corning in 1929 as an experiment for the 200'' mirror.

The first class meets Monday, June 21st in Science Building I room 201, 2nd class meeting will be Friday, June 25 at 8pm on the UP campus.

Goals:

1. Develop a manual for operation of the Observatory.
2. Complete a Observatory support project. Project details will be available during the campus meeting June 21, 2004.
3. Learn about astronomy.
4. Learn to find objects in the night sky.
5. Learn to operate the telescope at the Merle A. Starr Observatory.

Requirements:

1. Completion of Clackamas Community College volunteer application including criminal background check.
2. Field trip to Merle A. Starr Observatory June 25th. We will meet at the Observatory at 8:00 pm for a tour and overview of the Observatory programs (past, present, & future). The location on the UP campus is here (building 19). Directions to the UP campus are available at here or if you want to use Mapquest, 5000 N Willamette Blvd.
3. Read The Perfect Machine: Building the Palomar Telescope by Ronald Florence.
4. Read The Cambridge Guide to Stars and Planets by Moore and Tirion.
5. Submit weekly online progress reports. These reports should include progress and roadblocks about your achievement of the course goals.
6. Contribute weekly to the online class discussion.
7. Write reflections after each site visit and at the end of the quarter summarizing the course.
8. Work in a group or individually to complete a project supporting the Merle A. Starr Observatory or its programs. Mark Dakins will provide details, resources and guidelines for these projects.