Astronomy and Laboratory Safety Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards based on the Astronomy Safety Guide covering general lab rules, emergency procedures, clothing requirements, and specialized equipment handling.

General Laboratory Guidelines

Rules including reading directions before beginning, following teacher instructions, and removing unnecessary items like backpacks and books from the lab space.

Safety Goggles

Protective eyewear required when working with projectiles, high-speed rotating objects, glassware, chemicals, or when heating a substance.

Lab Shut-down Procedures

The process of turning off gas and equipment and securing chemicals if an investigation is interrupted by a fire drill.

Electrical Fire Safety

A specific type of fire where water should never be used for extinguishment.

Natural Gas Protocol

The requirement to notify the teacher immediately if the odor of natural gas is detected in the room.

Clothing Fire Protocol

Using a fire blanket, safety shower, or rolling on the floor to extinguish flames on clothes, while avoiding running.

Lab Apron and Long Pants

Protective clothing items that must be worn whenever handling chemicals.

Laboratory Footwear

Shoes that cover the whole foot, ideally low-heeled with non-slip soles; sandals, open-toed, open-backed, or high-heeled shoes are prohibited.

Electrical Plug Removal

The practice of grasping the plug itself rather than the cord when removing it from a socket.

Chemical Fume Hood

Equipment used when handling concentrated chemicals or substances that may release toxic vapors, dust, or gases.

Buret Handling

The practice of carrying long glass tubing in a vertical position to prevent breakage or injury.

Wire Mesh

A surface used to place hot glassware on for cooling, preventing it from touching a cold countertop directly.

Sharps Container

The designated disposal unit for broken glass once it has been collected with a brush and dustpan.

Dry Ice Handling

Requires eye protection, a laboratory coat, and thermally insulated gloves; nitrile exam gloves do not provide enough protection.

Laser Safety Lighting

The practice of illuminating the area as brightly as possible to constrict the pupils of observers.

Laser Beam Path Height

The requirement to set the beam path so it is not at eye level, specifically either below $3\,ft$ or above $6.5\,ft$.

Gas Spectrum Tubes

Equipment that should never be handled when hot or energized, and must be stored at room temperature.

Lens Paper

The only material that should be used to clean telescope lenses and mirrors.

Solar Filter

A safety device that must be attached over the aperture (front opening) of a telescope, and never over the eyepiece, when observing the Sun.

Indirect Observation

A method of solar observation that involves projecting the image of the Sun onto a surface safely.

Star Parties

After-school opportunities to observe the night sky where students must follow school rules and ask permission for guests.