A CCD-Based Undergraduate Astronomy Laboratory

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This project is developing a curriculum and laboratory manual for a CCD-based imaging astronomy laboratory for first and second year undergraduate science majors. Students are learning how to plan observations, acquire and correct CCD images, and perform sophisticated image analysis. The goal of the laboratory is to allow students to share in the excitement and challenge of scientific discovery using modern instruments and procedures, and to avoid the tedium and observational limitations of traditional techniques. The use of modern low- cost instruments allows students to concentrate on the astronomical significance of the observations rather than mastery of detailed telescope operations and photographic techniques. Although most of the equipment for the laboratory was already available, the project provided modest funds for computer equipment to allow enhanced image analysis and a CD- ROM system for laboratories using the HST guide star catalog and Voyager planetary images. The laboratory manual is being written to accommodate for a variety of CCD/telescope systems and will be made available for wide distribution when completed.