Abstract
A Guide to Co~curricular Astronomy is intended as
a handbook of information and activity around which may be built a secondary astronomy club# It is sincerely hoped that teacher and student together as fellow members of the club may explore the infinite distances of space and each gain much in experience and pleasure. The activities of such an exploration are many and varied and nicely adapt themselves to a co-operative effort such as the typical club offers#
It is intended that the club activity include a monthly observational period both with the telescope and unaided eye. The material in this handbook differs in arrangement from that of conventional works on astronomy in that it is integrated with the heavens from September through May of the following year. Outstanding examples of most of the objects studied and reported on during a particular month will be available in a favorable position in the early evening sky during that month. The diagrams found at the end of the monthly chapters are all that will be needed for constellation identification and location of telescopic objects#
The telescope used for the research that has gone this handbook is of the eight-inch reflector type. Any good telescope from three inch aperture upward will be suitable for the observational periods outlined, A low power finder is almost a necessity for the telescope. Without a finder, much time can be wasted in locating an object in the scope that is plainly visible to the unaided
eye, for one is not long in discovering that the conventional telescope has a very small field when using even a
medium power.
The planets are obviously not listed by the month.
These wanderers of the heavens may be studied and observed when available. The sun and moon are available every month, of course, and while they are placed under monthly headings in this handbook, they may be observed at will.
There are some excellent films on different units of astronomy. These will be found listed at the end of appropriate chapters. Extra activities or suggestions will also be found at the end of each chapter. A few of these may be selected if desired.
The study of astronomy is of great interest to young and old alike. This fascinating subject is becoming ever more popular. The school astronomy club need not have an
expert in its midst. A group may start with each of the members, including the faculty member, in total ignorance of the subject* A suitable telescope may be had for as little as one hundred and fifty dollars, a figure well within reason for the average school budget. Also, a club may begin by building its own telescope. This is not advised, however, unless one of the members knows what he is about or unless the aid of some experienced person is available.
