Prof Keith Rowan's class extra-credit projects

Rowan's AST 100/101 -&- 102/103 Classes
~ Extra-Credit Projects ~

Significant extra credit points (up to 10 points max. per semester) are available from doing any of the following projects or assignments below.

Please email Professor Rowan directly to discuss / inform him of which project(s) you would like to complete.

Keith Rowan showing the stars to a student

* Additional observing reports (above the required # OSR): ½ point per report (no more that 6 observations permitted for a total of 3 points E.C. per semester.

Extra Report Form is available here (Obs Report) <download and print out copies>.

CSI Astrophysical Observatory Viewing Schedule link (go here to find out when CSI viewing is available).

* Field Trip Reports to the Hayden Planetarium and/or Natural History Museum described below (up to 5 pts. each possible depending on quality of your report).

Open the PDF file and do the FIRST filed trip (Hayden Planetarium) listed! Additional extra credit if you do the second field trip. Please check with me in class first to make sure you are doing the correct museum visit!

** Field Trip Report Requirements (note that two trips are listed in one PDF document!). (updated 11-25-07)

IN BOTH TRIPS (which are optional) YOUR RECEIPTS MUST BE KEPT AND ATTACHED TO THE REPORT AS PROOF YOU WENT AND IT IS DATED. Museum Pamphlets are not proof you went.

WARNING: REPORTS CAN BE REFUSED IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A PROPERLY DATED RECEIPT!

* A Critical Literature Review of any astronomical topic that interests you (taken from "Sky & Telescope Magazine"). You must use the specific approved review format for writing this paper (up to 2 ½ pts. possible depending on quality of your report).

* AAA Lecture Series at the American Museum of Natural History:
The Amateur Astronomers Association is proud to present an astronomy lecture series from October through May each year for our members and the public. Everyone is welcome to attend, admission is free to the lecture, and no reservations or tickets are required.

Use the approved AAA Lecture Report format (up to 2 ½ pts. possible on each depending on quality of your your report).

Check the AAA website for more information and locations. This lecture series is held at the Kaufmann Auditorium of the American Museum of Natural History on Central Park West between 77th and 81st Streets. Use the museum's entrance at 79th St. and Central Park West (under the stairs), and inform the guard that you are attending the Amateur Astronomers lecture. Lectures begin at 6:15 p.m.

* Term Paper (10 pages) described via PDF link (up to 5 pts. possible depending on quality of paper).

Choose one or more mini-projects to complete for extra-credit.

You must work on these completely by yourself without assistance from your instructor. For each project completed fully, up to 2 ½ pts. possible each depending on quality of your work.

* The Astrolabe.

* The Sidereal Period of the Moon.

* The Cross-Staff.

* Measuring The Size of the Sun. (Warning: never look at the Sun directly without approved solar filters!)

Additional Projects to be listed here.

Museum reports and Term paper requirements are detailed in the laboratory Manual. All museum reports must have a dated receipt... the receipt of your donation only! Not the large ticket! Term papers obtained from web services or verbatim copies of web material are not acceptable and will be rejected.

Please NOTE Again : THE LABORATORY MANUAL ALSO HAS THE DETAILS ON OBSERVATION REPORTS, MUSEUM VISITS AND TERM PAPERS.

All projects and papers should be turned in before the last two weeks of the semester!