Clear Sky Patrol

Clear sky patrol (CSP) meets every clear evening (Mon-Thurs) from 7 pm - 9 pm (until March 1) on the roof on Van Allen Hall. during March, the time will shift to 8pm -10pm, and in April 9pm -11pm. To check whether CSP will be open on a particualr evening, click the following link after 5pm that day.

Clear Sky Status Page

Go to the east end of the VAN, 7th floor, and find the door marked 'Clear Sky Patrol'. Climb the stairs to the roof and locate one of the assigned TA's, as listed below.

Observing Test

Every student enrolled in Modern Astronomy (whether or not enrolled in the lab) must pass a night sky observing test sometime during the semester. The test consists of visual or binocular identification of a list of stars, constellations, and nebulae in the Spring evening sky. An excellent web resource to determine where objects are in the sky is the Sky and Telescope Observer's page.

Here are the rules.

• The observing test counts a total of 60 points, with available extra credit up to another 25 points. Each object counts between 2 and 8 points as noted in the table below.
• You must take the test with a Teaching Assistant during Clear Sky Patrol, (location and times listed above).
• You may take the test multiple times, but only once per night. The test is cumulative: You can count objects already successfully identified in previous attempts (no need to re-identify).
• If your last name starts with A-L, you must pass this test by Thursday April 13. If you name begins with M-Z, by Thursday May 4 (last Thursday before final exams). No exceptions!

Observing List

Download a copy of the  observing list (PDF format) and print it out. Bring it to the clear sky patrol session you will be attending.

Spring 2006 Observing List  (right-click to download)