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This page provides...
- current and projected observing conditions
- observatory schedule
- checklists for using the observatory
- information and resources
- observing program details
for those who use the
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Observing time at the SSU Observatoty is available to students, faculty, and friends of the Observatory and the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Observing time is normally allocated for observing programs adopted by the Observatory. To request observing time you should first receive appropriate training in the use of the Observatory instrumentation. To inquire about training opportunities, or to request observing time, contact the Observatory Director, Gordon Spear.
Preparations
Observers Brief Checklist
What do you really need to know? What kind of preparations do you need? What do you need to be worrying about? This is the brief list and is only one page.
Observers Checklist
If you observe at SSUO, what do you need to worry about? What preparations do you need to make? What do you need to do while at the Observatory? What should you expect to do after you collect some data? This is the detailed list and is 13 pages.
At the Observatory
Observatory Checklist
What do you need to do while you are at the Observatory? In case you forget, here is a checklist. This is a brief list and is only one page.
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SSU Observatory Instrumentation
What instrumentation is available?
SSU Observatory Documentation
Here you can find online documentation and manuals for the instrumentation and software systems commonly utilized at SSUO.
Signal-To-Noise Ratio Calculations for CCD Photometry
What exposure times do you need to use? This question is normally answered in terms of the precision you are willing to accept for your data. Precision is commonly quantified as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR, or S/N). A statistical uncertainity of 0.1 magnitude corresponds to about SNR = 10, while a statistical uncertainity of 0.01 magnitude corresponds to about SNR = 100. This convenient online calculator for SNR for stellar photometry allows you to see what SNR you should expect for various exposure times.
Standard Stars
If your observing program ultimately requires standard magnitude and color values such as V, B-V, V-I, you should expect to devote some observing time each season to observing photometric standard stars. Such observations are required to trasnsform instrumental magnitudes to standard magnitudes and colors.
Limiting Visual Magnitude
This document provides several means to measure limiting magnitude using naked eye observations. Also included is a link to a limiting magnitude model. This limiting magnitude model provides a convenient online calculator for predicting limiting visual magnitude at the zenith for an arbitrary observer. The model considers explicitly twilight, moon phase, location on the earth and elevation above sea level. The model does not consider any artificial sources of light pollution.
Telescopic Limiting Visual Magnitude
Catalogs of Non-Stellar Objects
Messier CatalogCaldwell Catalog
NGC and IC Catalogs
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Northern Hemisphere Bright Gamma-Ray Loud Blazars
This SSUO program focuses on V and I observations. Using the Epoch telescope and an ST-7 CCD camera, the brighter objects in this program require minimum exposure times of 5 minutes with these filters. Fainter objects will require longer exposure times.
Eclipsing Systems Surveillance for Eclipse Detection
The goal here is to detect eclipses and use these detections to determine reliable periods for these objects. Eclipse detection and surveillance can be done with any filter, or even with no filter. However, if it is later desired to use the data to analyze or model the light curves, data must be obtained using well defined bandpasses such as V, B, R, or I.
Eclipses Tonight
Observable Comets
Comet Observation Homepage
Minor Planets
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