McKim Observatory Astronomy Resources

McKim Observatory serves DePauw students in many ways. Astronomy classes use the facilities at McKim for labs and observing sessions; students do independent study projects at McKim; physics students use McKim for  advanced lab projects; students have done summer research at McKim; and the physics club has several evening meetings and observing sessions at McKim each semester.

Recent independent student projects at McKim include:

  • Phys 490 Independent Study in Astronomy: Observations of Mars 
  • Phys 490 Independent Study in Astronomy: Astrophotography 
  • Phys 471 Advanced Lab: Use of the ST-6 CCD camera 
  • Phys 471 Advanced Lab: Calibration of the ST-6 CCD camera for Variable Star Studies 
  • Honors Scholar Senior Thesis: Observations of Markarian 421 
  • Winter Term: Astrophotography 

McKim Observatory has served as the base for summer work by students in the Science Research Fellows Program:

  • Fundamental Groundwork of CCD Astronomy Allowing for Variable Star Research 

         Students in the astronomy classes routinely use McKim for observing sessions and labs. The labs for the Stellar Astronomy course are held at McKim in fair weather. The Clark is used to showcase certain objects, and students in the course learn to operate the Celestron telescopes. Working in pairs the students use the Celestrons to observe the moon, planets, binary stars and deep sky objects.

Astronomy Classes offered at DePauw:

  • Phys 103: Astronomy of the Solar System 
  • Phys 104: Stellar Astronomy 
  • Phys 200: Introduction to Astrophysics 
  • Phys 203: Cosmology 
  • Phys 490: Independent Study in Astronomy

          For more information about majoring in physics, taking other physics courses, or conducting research, visit the Department of Physics & Astronomy.
 

         A compilation of wonderful astronomy resources can be found at Dr. Kertzman's Physics 103 page.
        The Nine Planets provides you with everything you could want to know about the solar system- scientific data, history and more!
        Astronomy Magazine and Sky & Telescope Magazine offer astronomy enthusiasts many resources.
           You can also get real time tracking data of manned space flights (including teh space station) from NASA.  There is also a sight that uses a Java applet to show you when and where to observe the space station.
          It's images make headlines nearly everyday, why not check out the Hubble Telescope for yourself?
         Interested in getting real time images of earth?  Try the Space Center at Wisconsin or the Astronomy group at Montana State.
         Okay, NASA not only is a large organization, but they also have a large web site.  Here are a few starting points that may interest you:


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