List A - Observations
Choose ONE task from this list  |  Back to Course Menu


Naked Eye Observations
   1    Observe and draw the Moon’s phases over a period of at least one lunar month, recording the dates, times, seeing and weather conditions, and rising and setting times.
2 Observe and make detailed drawings of three different constellations, recording dates, times, seeing and weather conditions and noting colours (if possible) and magnitudes by comparison with reference stars.
3 Observe a meteor shower. Record meteor trails on a drawing of the stellar background from sketches and estimate magnitudes of the meteors. Locate and show the position of the radiant.
4 Use a shadow stick to record the direction of the Sun at different times on at least two days and hence determine (a) the time of local noon and (b) the observer’s longitude.

Photographic, binocular and telescopic observations
5 Observe the Moon with the aid of a suitable optical instrument and present photographs and/or drawings of lunar craters and/or other surface phenomena on at least two occasions, including details of the instrument(s) used with dates, times, and seeing and weather conditions.

Please note If the full Moon is observed directly using a telescope at high magnification, then, owing to its brightness, a student’s ability to make other observations directly afterwards will be impaired.
6 Observe three different celestial objects with the aid of binoculars or a telescope and present photographs and/or drawings of these objects, including details of the instrument(s) used with dates, times, and seeing and weather conditions.
7 Project the image of the Sun onto a suitable background and either observe and record sunspots over a sufficiently long period of time to determine the Sun’s rotation period or observe and record the various stages of a partial or total solar eclipse.

WARNING: The Sun must NOT be viewed directly, either with or without optical aids.
8 Take long-exposure photographs of the circumpolar stars around Polaris or the South celestial pole and use them to explain and determine the length of the sidereal day.

Further tasks which can be carried out:-
  • Use of shadow stick and clinometer to determine latitude and longitude
  • Observations of Algol (Beta Persei)
  • Drawings/photos of eclipse, transit etc
  • Constellation photography
  • Solar spectrometry
    (Robotic telescopes can be used for the Obsevations section of the coursework)


Criteria for tasks taken from List A - Observations

STATEMENT OF TASK MAXIMUM 2
Clear and precise statement of nature and purpose of task
Vague statement of nature and purpose of task
No statement of nature and purpose of task		 2
1
0
OBSERVATIONAL DETAILS MAXIMUM 3
Full details given, including such factors as:
  • locations
  • dates
  • times
  • weather
  • seeing conditions
Some of the above details given.
Very few of the above details given.
No details given.


3




2
1
0
OBSERVATIONS MAXIMUM 6
Award a mark on a linear scale from 0 to 6 for material submitted, taking into account such factors as:
  • size
  • clarity
  • use of colour (if applicable)
  • labelling
  • access to information
  • correct terminology
DETAILED OBSERVATIONS / DEDUCTIONS MAXIMUM 4
Award a mark on a linear scale from 0 to 4 for any detailed observations or calculations or deductions
PRESENTATION MAXIMUM 4
Material is neat and well presented in a logical order.
Material is fairly neat and well presented in a logical order.
Material is satisfactorily presnted.
Material is poorly presented.
Material is poorly presented in a haphazard order. 		4
3
2
1
0