Students should be able to identify as many Messier and NGC objects in each constellation, and do an in depth and systematic study of those objects. Students should learn how to use TheSky to make their session time on the TIE telescope the most valuable as possible. Teachers should review the constellations and assign those with interesting objects to students. The images are examined for signs of supernovae. Images that show possibilities for supernovae are validated by comparison methods.
Findings are publishable.
Observing and recording the behavior of supernovae adds much needed information to our understanding of stellar makeup and evolution. Object types include nebulae, galaxies, globular clusters, planetary nebulae, etc. The level of involvement will vary based on grade level, experience and number of sessions devoted. A single session can yield a wide variety of images appropriate for such an assignment. Objects should be researched for sky location prior to observations to obtain the optimum quality images.