Frequently asked Questions about Ast135 Lab.

 

 

Q. When is the telescope deck open for Ast135 lab exercises?

 

A. It is open only on Sunday through Thursday nights and only on the first 5 clear nights listed on the Moon + Planet calendar on your outdoor lab schedule and on the first 5 clear nights listed on the Star ID calendar.

 

Q. Is the deck close enough to the center of campus so that I can walk over there?

 

A. No, it is on the southern edge of Eastern's campus (see the map in your lab book and in this document) and it is very dark out there so walking is definitely a BAD idea. Besides, many times you will have to walk around the skunks that populate the field that surrounds the deck. If you don't have personal transportation there should be a shuttle bus available. This will be discussed in lab.

 

Q. How many times will I have to go out to the telescope deck during the semester?

 

A. Twice, once for each outdoor experiment.

 

Q. When can I do the outdoor exercises?

 

A. The possible dates are listed on the calendars on your outdoor lab schedules.   For the Moon + Planet exercise you must do the experiment during the first 5 clear nights listed on the Moon calendar.  For the Star ID exercise you must complete the lab on one of the first 5 clear nights listed on the Star ID calendar.

 

Q. What time is the deck open?

 

A. This changes during the year due to changing sunset and moon rising or setting times.  The opening time is announced on the answering machine we have installed for this purpose (call 2-2012). 

 

Q. At what time will a message be on the answering machine?

 

A. Usually by 5:30 pm.  Due to changing weather conditions, sometimes the message will advise you to call again later.

 

Q. How long is the telescope deck open on a given night?

 

A. About one hour after starting time.  People who show up more than 15 minutes after starting time will not be able to do the exercise.

 

Q.  I work most nights and only have Monday or Wednesday night available for viewing.  Can I still do the labs?

 

A. You should not enroll in Ast135 unless you have at least 3 nights free each week from Sunday through Thursday.   It could be cloudy on most Monday and Wednesday nights during the semester (yes, this has happened in the past) so you would not be able to complete the exercises if you restrict yourself to 2 or less nights of the week. 

 

Q. If I fail the lab, can I still pass the Ast135 course?

 

A.  NO!  You must pass the lab.

 

Q. How do I fail the lab?  The only way you fail lab is to miss 3 or more labs.  In that case you will be assigned an F for the lab and you therefore fail the entire Ast135 course. 

 

Q. Suppose I do not miss 3 or more labs but I receive less than a 60 for my final lab grade.  Don’t I fail the lab in this case? 

 

A. No, your lab grade is merely averaged in with your other lecture grades and it is the total (lecture + lab) average which determines whether you fail the course. 

 

Q. Since I need to miss 3 labs to fail, am I therefore free to miss up to two labs?

 

A. You are still penalized for missing a lab because any quizzes or graded assignments that you miss will be counted as zero.

 

Q. What constitutes missing a lab?

 

A. To be sure you do not miss a lab, attend every lab session required.   That includes all indoor, outdoor, and planetarium sessions.

 

Q. I went to the telescope deck but the lab was called off at the last minute due to clouds.  Do I still have to go again?

 

A. Yes, you still need to complete the exercise.  We can't control the weather. 

 

Q. I was turned away because there were many students ahead of me wanting to use a telescope.  Do I still have to go again?

 

A.  Again yes, you still need to complete the exercise.  Get to the deck early to be sure of getting a telescope.

 

Q. I see that we have 5 nights to finish the Moon + Planet outdoor lab. What happens if I did not get out to the telescope deck during the first 4 available nights and the 5th night never occurs because we were not able to get 5 clear nights during the semester to complete the lab? Do I receive an absence?

 

A. No, you are guarenteed 5 nights. Since we could not get 5 nights in, you do not receive an absence. However, those who have already completed the lab will receive extra credit for completing the lab. Thus it pays to get the lab done as soon as possible. The same argument applies to the Star ID outdoor lab.

 

Q. What happens if an emergency comes up and I have to miss a lab?

 

A.  If you know ahead of time that you absolutely must miss a lab, you may go to one of the other  lab sessions (with permission of the instructor of that lab).

 

Q. I have a morning lab at 8:00 am which is kind of early for me.  Since I can go to other labs, can I do that if I forget to wake-up early enough for my own lab?

 

A. No, you will be only allowed to go to another lab for a verified documented reason.  And the general rule is that you get only one chance to go to another lab.   Forgetting to wake-up in time to go to your regularly scheduled lab is not an acceptable reason for switching.

 

Q. Suppose I have two absences already and I don’t plan to miss another lab.  But my grandfather suddenly dies and I have to miss a week of school to attend his funeral.  This means I have to miss a third lab but I have a good excuse for missing the lab.   I will not get a F for the lab, right?

 

A. No.  You missed three labs; therefore you get an F.  That is why we give you a little leeway in missing labs for important things like funerals.  You should plan on never missing a lab except for very important reasons!

 

Q.  All three of my lab absences were for very important reasons. Is there anything that can be done to avoid the F?

 

A.  There is but it is a hassle.   You have to appeal the F by writing a letter to the Chair of The Department of Physics and Astronomy stating the reasons why you missed ALL 3 labs.  You will also have to document the reasons for missing the labs and in the case where your grandfather died provide evidence to that fact.  You may also have to appear in person before a committee to argue your case.