A common alternative to a star atlas is to take a laptop computer into the
field, loaded with planetarium software for reference. One can also rig a
CCD camera to the telescope and display the images on the laptop for the
entire class to see at once.
I like having students apply their own eyeballs to the telescope. It's more
personally satisfying, and the students get the idea that they're looking at
the real sky, not some "virtual" experience. However, for larger groups or
when you want them to analyze the images, the CCD/computer system is the way
to go. It is also closer to what profesional astronomers use. "Real
astronomers" spend the great majority of their time on data analysis, with
very little time actually observing the sky. Telescope time is hard to get.
Vickie
-----Original Message-----
From: Tina Fanetti [mailto:FanettT@WITCC.COM]
Sent: Friday, October 18, 2002 12:45 PM
To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
Subject: More thoughts on Lazy
Okay
Some have suggested that it is good for students to use the web and t=
hat homework is not for work sake.
*snip*
Now I can use a star chart on the web to look stuff up. That's fine =
if everything goes as planned. What happens if the objects I picked =
out to look at are blocked by buildings and trees? What am I going t=
o do instead? I can't search the web in the field (we don't have wir=
eless here in the boonies) They need to know how to open up a star a=
tlas and use it.
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