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Alachua Astronomy Club, Inc.
The Alachua Astronomy Club, Inc. (AAC) is a non-profit organization composed of an informal group of people interested in amateur astronomy. Members range from "beginning stargazers" to advanced amateurs. The AAC invites everyone interested in astronomy to attend their monthly meetings. (Meetings are free and open to the public.)
The AAC maintains a very extensive web site, which includes a large number of astronomical resource links.
Meeting Information-
Date: Second Tuesday of Each Month at 7:30 p.m.
Place: Usually Doyle Conner Building (1911 SW 34th Street at SW 20th Avenue) but check meeting schedule for any changes.
- Dues paying members (regular $24.00/year; full-time students $12.00/year) receive the club's monthly newsletter (FirstLight), the Astronomical League's quarterly newsletter (The Reflector), and a subscription reduction to Sky & Telescope.
- For more information, see your instructor or visit the AAC web site.
- For more info on how to join, see dues.
Astronomy Laboratory, AST 1022L (1 Credit)
Students who have taken or are currently taking AST 1002 will find the Astronomy Department's introductory laboratory course AST 1022L both useful and interesting:
- Description: An elementary introduction to experimental work in astronomy, includes both scheduled laboratory exercises during the day in the Teaching Lab in the Bryant Space Science Building (BRT 401) and observational astronomy (primarily in the evening) at the campus Teaching Observatory.
- Prerequisites: AST 1022L also satisfies the LAS requirement for a laboratory
- Recommendation: Take AST 1002L concurrently or preferably after AST 1002.
- For More Information: Contact Dr. Francisco J. Reyes, Director of Rosemary Hill & Teaching Observatories
(Address BRT 302, Telephone 392-2052, Ext. 229, E-Mail reyes@astro.ufl.edu)
Astronomy Library Resources
The Marston Science Library, located south of Turlington Hall (see map), contains most astronomy library materials.
- Astronomy Library Resources: A web page by the University of Florida Libraries
- Astronomy Library Web Page: A web page by the Department of Astronomy.
Other Astronomy Courses
The Department of Astronomy offers several other basic astronomy courses that are popular additions to AST 1002. There are also other more advanced courses plus a full graduate level set of courses since UF offers an undergraduate astronomy program leading to the B.S. degree in astronomy and a full graduate program leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in astronomy.
Interested in A Career in Astronomy? If yes, click here.
Consult the University's Undergraduate Catalog for a list of undergraduate astronomy courses and further details. (Check the astronomy schedule of courses for the current term to determine if the course is offered.)
Recommended Non-Technical Astronomy Publications
Thousands of publications and educational materials exist in astronomy (including vast resources on the Internet). A short list appears below.
In addition, The Alachua Astronomy Club, Inc. maintains a web page giving a large number of astronomical web sites including a more extensive list of astronomical publications. Included are companies selling astronomical products, astronomical organizations and clubs, observatories, pictures, space art, etc.
- Astronomy Magazine, 21027 Crossroads Circle, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612 ($39.95/Year). Good for beginners, lots of color pictures, text generally easy to follow. First published in the early 1970's. Competes with its older cousin, Sky & Telescope (just below).
- Sky & Telescope, published by Sky Publishing Corporation, P.O. Box 9111, Belmont, MA 02178-9111 ($39.95/Year). A must for any amateur or professional. This is astronomy's "premier" publication (first published as Sky & Telescope in 1940). Although articles occasionally detailed, most are suitable for both beginners, amateurs and professional astronomers. Contains excellent monthly star and planet finding charts. Can be found in UF library. Available at discount to members of the Alachua Astronomy Club, Inc. See also Sky & Telescope's Night Sky Planisphere below.
- Griffith Observer, published by Griffith Observatory, 2800 E. Observatory Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90027 ($18.00/Year). A small publication (approx. 2-3 articles/issue) published by one of the world's best known and oldest planetariums. Many articles on the history of astronomy, archaeoastronomy or unusual topics. Well worth the price of $1.25 per issue.
- Mercury, a journal of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 390 Ashton Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112. World Wide Web: http://www.aspsky.org. (Regular A.S.P. membership $35.00/Year, $25.00/Year student). The A.S.P. is the world's largest astronomical society. Dues support a wide variety of educational programs, including newsletters and workshops for teachers. A must for amateur astronomers or teachers. The A.S.P. membership roster includes scientists, educators, hobbyists, and all who are interested in the cosmos. The A.S.P. publishes an outstanding catalog of astronomical materials, information packets and resources.
- Monthly Sky Calendar and Sky Map, Dept. JP, Abrams Planetarium, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1324 ($9.00/year starting anytime). A great planet finder for beginners; calendar gives daily astro events to look for. A simple monthly sky chart shows planetary positions. (Three calendars mailed four times per year.)
- Night Sky Planisphere, from Sky Publishing Corp., P.O. Box 9111, Belmont, MA 02178-9918. ($5.95 cardboard; $9.95 plastic). Probably the best "star wheel" type star/constellation finding chart. Order the Night Sky Planisphere for north Florida latitudes 30º–40° (exact for 32.5° N). Note: Latitude of Gainesville is 29.6º. For central and south Florida order for 20º–30º (exact for 25º N), or for northern United States order 40º–50º (exact for 40º N).
- A New Universe to Explore: Careers in Astronomy, published by American Astronomical Society. A must for if interested in a career in astronomy.
Public Nights at The Teaching Observatory
The On-Campus Teaching Observatory is open for public viewing Friday evenings (weather permitting) when UF classes are in session.
- Open Hours: usually from 8:30 to 10:00 p.m. when university classes are in session.
- Location: South of the Reitz Union and West of the Engineering Sciences Building – see map
- More Information: See the Astronomy Department's Teaching Observatory web pages about the observatory's facilities, history and public nights including a locator map.
Note: The Astronomy Department also operates an off-campus observatory (Rosemary Hill Observatory) for research and training. However, this observatory is not normally open to the public.
Undergraduate Astrophysics Society
The Undergraduate Astrophysics Society (UAS) is affiliated with the University of Florida Department of Astronomy. The UAS helps prepare undergraduate astronomy and physics majors for a professional career in astronomy through:
- Discussions
- Guest speakers, including presentations from staff and graduate students on current research as well as outside professionals in astronomy.
- Free tutoring in astronomy, math, and physics for members by members.
- Informal interaction with the departmental staff.
- Formal attendance of departmental events (i.e., colloquiums, journal clubs, etc.)
- Participation in public nights at the Teaching Observatory
- Planned trips including visits to Rosemary Hill Observatory.
- Preparing undergraduate members for graduate admission applications by reviewing the requirements and studying for the physics GRE.
For more information, see their web site
