Introduction to Astronomy through Observation and Astrophotography (PY160, 4 credit hours)

Since the dawn of time, human beings have been fascinated by the beauty of the night sky. Now you have the opportunity to experience the darkest of night skies, learn more about the universe around you and capture your own portfolio of deep sky images.

 

When:        May 22—May 29, 2007
Where:       Southwestern New Mexico, @ City of Rocks State Park
Faculty:

Dr. Dan Miller, Chair, Mathematics and Computer Science, has taught astronomy and was instrumental in obtaining the wide range of astronomy equipment at Millikin through NSF grants. Dr. Casey Watson, Physics Dept., is an astrophysicist and cosmologist. Casey is in his 1st year at Millikin and is teaching the very popular Astronomy courses and labs. John Werner, M.S. Physics, is adjunct to the Physics Department, assisting with astronomy lab instruction and enhancing the astronomy instrumentation at Millikin, including the LTSC 20” telescope. John knows his way around telescopes and digital cameras.

The Course: You will learn through lecture, equipment and software orientation, observation, instruction on the principles of digital photography and image processing. You will become problem solvers, gain a better understanding of the universe around you, resulting in a richer and more rewarding life.

Topics include understanding of stellar and planetary motions, celestial navigation, constellation identification, our solar system, our galaxy, cosmology, telescope and camera operation, and digital photography and image processing.

Additional activities will include a visit to the Very Large Array (VLA - think “Contact”) and hosting a public star party.

 

 

Costs :  

  • Tuition $1,060.00 (4 credits)
  • Housing $ 105.00
  • Transportation in NM: $ 105.00
  • Meals $ 175.00
  • Equipment Transport $ 40.00

Total expenses $1,485.00

Plus transportation to NM (see below), and personal expenses of approx. $50.00.

Getting There: you will be responsible for getting to Albuquerque for pick-up May 22d.

Students will be responsible for their own transportation to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Faculty will pick-up students at the Amtrak train station or the Albuquerque international airport the afternoon of May 22nd. (Train:  Amtrak leaves Bloomington, Illinois May 21st at 11:39 a.m. and arrives Albuquerque at 3:55pm on May 22nd. Approximate cost for this option is $245.) Students should try to travel in groups. After pick-up, there is an additional five hours of driving to the observing site. Faculty will transport equipment to the observing site by truck and travel trailer. Two large SUVs will be picked up in Albuquerque for transporting students.

 

Other immersions

Millikin University International Programs
Karin Borei, Director of International Programs 
email: kborei@mail.millikin.edu
  • Office: Staley Library 105
  • telephone (217) 424-6387 


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