Angell Hall Problems (You must have a
uniqname or be at an astronomy department computer to report a
problem. Of course, you should be associated with the department to need to report a problem...)
email astro-labs@umich.edu (your
email from and reply-to fields must be in the form
"uniqname"@umich.edu.
or
login and submit a ticket at http://help.lsa.umich.edu/astronomy/labs
Trained operators can email Shannon at aquilla at umich.edu to schedule planetarium time. Please include the words "schedule planetarium" in the subject line for the fastest response.
(Schedule currently not available)
Schedule training time by emailing Shannon. Please include "schedule training for" and what you want to be trained on in the subject line of the email.
Who qualifies for training:
Anyone teaching an astronomy class who needs the facilities should be trained before the term starts.
You can download a MS Word version of the document with everything you need to do to get ready for the term.
Undergrads can get training if they meet the requirements. The current rquirements are posted on this site at undergradAccess.html.
The Planetarium manual in MS Word or pdf format
The Observatory manual in MS Word or pdf
format. The operator's exam is on the second-to-last page.
Instructional Support Services has guides and manuals for Qwizdom ActionPoint and clicker help at http://sitemaker.umich.edu/iss_instruction/qwizdom
Some support for SAMS is available on the welcome screen when you first enter your class. The GSI manual is fairly complete. The Instructor support is getting there, and is much more up to date than my documentation. Remeber to use the full URL for SAMS or you'll get sent off to the student site. The full URL is https://cats.lsa.umich.edu/Gtools/login.cgi.
Below are my guides. A warning: SAMS and ActionPoint have undergone significant revision since I wrote these. You may be better off using the above refrences instead.
Quick Reference for Quizdom ActionPoint power point pluggin in pdf or Word
Sam's not so breif guide to SAMS in pdf orWord
A brief guide to Qwizdom Interact (primarily Mac) in pdf or Word
Quick Guide to using SAMs and Qwizdom together in pdf or Word
Guide to extra credit in SAMs in pdf or Word.
Some things you might want to observe (list of objects by season as well as current planet positions and interesting events)
Some tips for new instructors
I am a Solar System Ambassador, a vounteer program run by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA to bring the information and excitement of space exploration to the public. I can bring presentations and activities about space exploration to your group or organizaion. Just contact me at the above email or phone number.
For more information about the program, or to see some of my past or upcoming events, visit http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/ambassador/index.html
If you would like to schedule an event, please drop me an email.
For current and upcoming events in space exploration, check out my
observing page.
The University of Michigan Department of Astronomy also has an outreach program. For more information, including links to our open houses and events, or to request a program, check out the website at http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu/outreach/index.php.
Check out some pictures of the removal of the mirrors from the 0.4m here
My department home page (there's not much info there)
MSIP for EMU
(In case you missed it) another link to my observing page
National Weather Service forcast for Ann Arbor (lots of historical data and interesting links)