Open House Worksheet

Your name:__________________________; Date of program:__4/9/08__; Section #:_______; Points: _________

This document provides information for Astronomy student participation in an FSU Astronomy Open House event.

Up to 20 points of extra-credit will be awarded for participating in this FSU Astronomy Open-house event based on this report. You are to print it and do the pre-openhouse research before the event begins. You are welcome to bring family and/or friends with you to the Planetarium and/or Observatory for this event.

If it is clear, the Open-house will feature views of compelling objects that are visible in the early evening on the night of the program.

Pre-openhouse research - for up to 5 points

Completion of this pre-event research is expected of FSU students submitting this report for credit before you come to the Planetarium (or Observatory).

Use resources at your disposal (e.g., the FSU Astronomy Program's compilation of links to resources) to determine what might be other interesting objects to view tonight.

List at least 4 objects that you expect are compelling targets for observation tonight. Explain why each is well suited for an observation tonight. Describe any special circumstances for each object. Use the Starry Night software to determine when each object rises and sets.

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Instructors pre-lecture research approval initials:___________(required).

Planetarium Program - for up to 5 points

This open-house features a planetarium program that starts at 7 pm and runs ~45 minutes.

You must be there by 7 pm, and have the instructors initials:___________ to show you arrived on time (required).

Write a 1-2 paragraph report on the planetarium program on the back, or on separate paper and attach it to this report.

Observatory Visit - for up to 5 points

This credit is only available if the observatory is open - which depends on the weather.
Instructors initials (certifying student viewed came to the Observatory):___________(required)

Using space below or on the back, describe each object observed, and sketch.

Do research (Internet suggested) and write at least one sentence on the nature of each object we observed.

Be a Docent - for up to 5 points

For up to 5 points, students can serve as docents after the planetarium program.

Here are potential docent assignments:

1. Assist scouts with

the use of a simple telescope.

2. Serve as an observatory safety monitor for at least 10 minutes. This entails standing at the base of the stairs leading up to the observing deck. Allow new visitors up in the same number as visitors come down (to insure that there are not more than 12 on the deck at anytime). Also, insure that visitors use the steep stairs properly.

3. Serve as a facilitator of edutainment for guests in line to view at the observatory, e.g., respond to questions using the Starry Night program.

4. Serve as a facilitator of telescope viewing at the 16-inch telescope.

Instructors initials (certifying student served as a docent in the Observatory):___________(required)

Write a 1-2 sentence report on your experience as a docent on the back, or on separate paper and attach it to this report.