We offer two labs: Descriptive Astronomy Laboratory (AST 1002L) and Solar System Astronomy Laboratory (AST 2003L). A laboratory is a separate course from the lecture course; you will receive a grade for the lab that is independent of your lecture grade. While we aim to coordinate labs with lecture material, the two do not always align each week because we have different faculty using different texts and syllabi.
Descriptive Astronomy
Laboratory course to accompany AST 1002. An introduction to experimental work in descriptive astronomy including daytime laboratory exercises and one outdoor observation session. Manual available only in the FIU Bookstore. Online labs available.
Fall Schedule
Week 1 | No labs |
Week 2 | Introduction |
Week 3 | Lab 1: Reasoning and Estimating |
Week 4 | Lab 2: Phases of the Moon |
Week 5 | Lab 3: Jupiter's Moons - CLEA Lab |
Week 6 | Lab 4: Optics/Lenses Lab |
Week 7 | Lab 5: Telescope Lab (Galileoscope) |
Week 8 | Lab 6: Mars Cratering |
Week 9 | Lab 7: Greenhouse Effect |
Week 10 | Lab 8: Kirchhoff's Laws |
Week 11 | Lab 9: HR Diagram |
Week 12 | Lab 10: Galaxy Properties - GEAS Lab |
Week 13 | Lab 11: Hubble's Law |
Week 14 | No labs - happy Thanksgiving! |
Week 15 | Last Class - Optional Lab 12 (Make-up Lab). Last chance to submit the Night Lab Report! |
Solar System Astronomy
Laboratory course to accompany AST 2003. An introduction to experimental work in solar system astronomy including laboratory exercises during the day in the lab and one outdoor observation session. Manual available only in the FIU Bookstore.
Fall Schedule
Week 1 | No labs |
Week 2 | Introduction |
Week 3 | Lab 1: Reasoning and Estimating |
Week 4 | Lab 2: Phases of the Moon |
Week 5 | Lab 3: Jupiter's Moons - CLEA Lab |
Week 6 | Lab 4: Optics/Lenses Lab |
Week 7 | Lab 5: Telescope Lab (Galileoscope) |
Week 8 | Lab 6: Mars Cratering |
Week 9 | Lab 7: Greenhouse Effect |
Week 10 | Lab 8: Kirchhoff's Laws |
Week 11 | Lab 9: Io's Volcanoes |
Week 12 | Lab 10: Satellite Motion - PhET Lab |
Week 13 | Lab 11: Astronomy of Asteroids |
Week 14 | No labs - happy Thanksgiving! |
Week 15 | Last Class - Optional Lab 12 (Make-up Lab). Last chance to submit the Night Lab Report! |