Stockton Astronomical Society

Astronomy Projects You Can Do
By Don Machholz

Unaided Eye Projects

1. Map the sunset point in reference to the horizon and explain the changes.
2. Learn the constellations visible from your latitude.
3. Plot the positions of Mars, Jupiter, and/or Saturn on a star map. Do this each week for two months. Explain the motions.
4. Look for various colors in the bright stars and planets.
5. Determine the earliest time (vs. sunset time) that you can see the North Star.
6. Observe and count the number of meteors (shooting stars) visible to you.
7. Look for artificial satellites.
8. Try drawing a lunar map each night as the phase changes.
9. Study light pollution in your area and the main causes of it.
10. Visit a planetarium.

Binocular and Small Telescope Projects

1. All of the above (except 1, 9 and 10).
2. Count the number of stars in various parts of the sky. Map the distribution of stars.
3. Draw Jupiter and its four moons each night. Explain the motions.
4. Learn the names of the major features on the moon.
5. Make a telescope.

Photography Projects

1. Using fast film and a wide aperture (f/stop) on the camera, mount the camera on a tripod and take time-exposure photographs of the sky. Exposures should last 5-45 minutes. Explain the motions of the stars.
2. Photograph meteors.
3. Photograph artificial satellites.
4. Photograph one of the major planets every three days for a month. Explain the motion of the planet.

Copyrighted © 2000 by Stockton Astronomical Society
Lasted Updated: 11/2/2000
http://astro.sci.uop.edu/~sas/Projects.html