Student Learning Outcomes

• Conduct a research on double stars and present the results: • Take an image through a telescope using a digital camera • Generate astrometric data from .fits files • Keep an observing journal • Analyze position angle, separation, and orbital parameters • Write a professional research report • Give a professional poster presentation Course set up: Students practiced using telescopes, such as the Celestron C14, and processed sample data in order for them to be prepared for a week-long field trip to Mt. Wilson Observatory to study double stars. During the field trip, students acquired data on both the historic 60" Hale telescope and a 16" Meade LX200. Students were responsible for keeping track of the equipment used and image exposure parameters in a log book. Once their data were taken, students used the programs learned earlier in the semester to analyze their star systems to measure the position angle and separation of the primary and secondary stars. They also added their data point to previous measurements on the system in order to make a more refined orbital plot. The students completed their final project by writing a scientific paper, and presenting a poster on their research as if they were at a conference.