Work Assignments: (completely document your work)

1. (complete by 23 August) Introduction to Astronomical Computing at CofC
2. (first draft due 24 August) Preliminary Survey
3. (complete by 28 August, then follow up with documented individual work on 30 August) Getting Started with IDL
4. (due by 5 PM on 4 September; email me with drafts and I will return suggestions) Preliminary Proposal for first group project
5. (during September) Observing Project #1: Color-Magnitude Diagram
6. (complete by 11 September) Getting Started With IRAF
7. (start in lab on 27 September; complete by 2 October) Using IDL to make your color-magnitude diagram.
8. (due 4 October) Final Report for 1st Group Project.
9. (September/October) Observing Project #2: Image Processing Techniques
10. (due 16 October) Referee's Report for Group Project #1
11. Observing Project #3: Spectroscopy of Bright Stars
12. (due 25 October) Field of View, Plate Scale, Orientation, and other Goodies
13. (due 30 October) Final Report for Observing Project #2
14. (due 1 November) 1-D Normalized, Wavelength Calibrated Spectrum and Brief Report On Project #3
15. (due 1 November) 1-page report about Archive data for your star and your preliminary plans
16. (due 7 November) Least-Squares Fitting (The Hard Way)
17. (due 8 November) Preliminary Discussion with Instructor about your Individual Project
18. (due 13 November) Full Plan of Attack for your Individual Project (8-10 hours)
19. (due 15 November) Preliminary Draft of Observing Proposal
20. (due 27 November) Final Draft of Observing Proposal
21. (due 27 November) Final Report of your Individual Project
22. (due 30 November) Last date to submit materials (or modify your directory structure) to be included in your final grade

In-Class/Supervised Activities:

1. (6 Sep) Telescope Training
2. (11 Sep) CCD Training and Observing for Project 1
3. (13 Sep - 20 Sep) Hints for Project 1
4. (25 Sep) Getting Started with IRAF Photometry
5. (9 Oct) SBIG SGS Training and Observing for Project 3
6. (25 Oct) Reducing Slit Spectra With IRAF

Recommended Out-of-Class Activities and Reading Assignments:

1. IRAF Docs
   • A Beginner’s Guide to Using IRAF
   • A Users Guide to CCD Reduction Using IRAF
   • Photometry Using IRAF
   • A User’s Guide to the IRAF Apphot Package
   • Reference Guide for the IRAF/DAOPHOT Package
   • Users Guide to Reducing Slit Spectra with Iraf
2. Imager Docs
3. Spectrometer Docs
   • SBIG SGS Manual
   • SBIG SGS Brochure
   • SBIG SGS Specs
   • CCDOPS Manual (controls SBIG SGS)
4. Miscellaneous Docs
   • Regularly perused the "377 Recommended Reading" Box in 145 RHSC