lecture 8/26

Digital Resources and Observatory Rules

  • Online Astronomical Software Tool:

    • Students can access the recommended digital software tool for free at scalerium.org.

    • Access should be completed directly through the official site digitally, eliminating the need to wait in line.

  • Observatory Field Rules and Regulations:

    • Driving Speed Limit: Students driving down the dirt road leading to the observatory facility must strictly maintain a maximum speed of 25 mph25\,\text{mph}.

    • Facility Equipment Value: The Gulf War Research facility contains nearly $1,000,000\$1,000,000 worth of high-precision equipment, the vast majority of which consists of specialized optics.

    • Mechanism of Optical Damage: Excessive driving speed on the dirt road kicks up dust clouds that settle directly onto the telescope optics, forming striations across the lens surfaces.

    • Replacement Costs: Repairing or replacing a single code one optic costs approximately $8,000\$8,000.

    • Speed Enforcement & Course Penalties: The 25 mph25\,\text{mph} speed limit applies equally when arriving at and when exiting the laboratory facility. If any student exceeds this speed limit—including speeding along the peripheral road upon exit—the entire lab section will be failed instantly.

  • Classroom and Laboratory Conduct:

    • Respect Policy: Absolute respect is mandatory within the course.

    • Teaching Assistant Protocol: Lab TAs must be treated with the exact same degree of respect given to parents.

    • Mutual Conduct Expectations: Adult behavior and mutual respect are required between students, TAs, and facility staff at all times.

Laboratory Registration and Student Conduit System

  • Lab Signup Schedule and Canvas Access:

    • Registration links will be published directly on the Canvas course page at the start of the lab term.

    • Students must NOT attempt to register for lab sessions prior to the official start.

    • Official registration begins during the ASP on September 14, where TAs will assist students in signing up.

  • Technical Authentication and Device Access:

    • Lab registration can be performed on personal laptops or mobile smartphones.

    • Login authentication uses student e rater credentials.

    • When using lab computers, default accounts such as one Armstrong may appear, requiring manual login to individual e rater accounts on personal devices.

  • Student Conduit System Rules and Requirements:

    • System Development: The custom student conduit system required 3 months3\,\text{months} of custom coding to build.

    • System Integrity Fine: Any intentional misuse or breaking of the student conduit system incurs a $100\$100 fine.

    • Required Session Count: Every student must sign up for exactly 33 required lab sessions:

      1. Lunar lab

      2. Stars and constellations lab

      3. Planetary lab

    • Absence and Rescheduling Policy: If a student is sick or misses a scheduled session, they can log into the conduit portal at any time to remove themselves from the missed session and self-register for an open alternative slot.

    • Real-Time Booking: The landing page displays live updates of other students registering for sessions simultaneously, requiring fast action to secure preferred time slots.

  • Sample Schedule Slots (Lunar Lab Example):

    • First Available Date: October 16.

    • Session Slot 1: Starts at 08:3008:30 and finishes at approximately 10:0010:00.

    • Session Slot 2: Starts at 10:3010:30 and finishes at 12:00 AM12:00\,\text{AM} (midnight).

Course Lab Locations and Software Requirements

  • Lab Session Locations:

    • Lunar Lab: Held directly on campus in the standard weekly laboratory classroom. Lunar labs are never canceled unless a catastrophic emergency occurs.

    • Stars and Constellations Lab: Held outdoors down the dirt road at the third quarter by their domain.

    • Planetary Lab: Scheduled through the online conduit system alongside the Lunar and Stars/Constellations sessions.

  • Recommended Web Browsers:

    • Google Chrome: Highly recommended for accessing registration and platform systems due to superior performance and minimal glitching.

    • Microsoft Edge: Acceptable alternative browser.

    • Safari: Not recommended due to a significantly higher frequency of technical glitches compared to Chrome/HandStamp.

Pearson Mastering Astronomy Purchasing and Access Options

  • Misleading Bookstore Rental Warning:

    • Students must NOT select or purchase the textbook rental option (listed around $9.09\$9.09).

    • The bookstore rental option is misleading and is being removed from the bookstore listing.

  • Required Platform Product:

    • The required course material is an access code for Mastering Astronomy.

    • Mastering Astronomy includes the full online eText, rendering physical print textbook purchases unnecessary.

  • Payment Tier Breakdown:

    1. Direct Pearson Purchase (18-Week Access):

      • Price: $99.99\$99.99

      • Duration: Covers 18 weeks18\,\text{weeks} (a single semester).

      • Includes: Complete eText access, online homework modules, quizzes, and all platform features with no hidden extra costs.

      • Payment Methods: Credit Card, PayPal, or Debit Card.

    2. Two-Semester Access Option (Avoid):

      • Price: $164.00\$164.00

      • Duration: Covers 24 months24\,\text{months} (2 semesters2\,\text{semesters}).

      • Recommendation: Do not purchase this tier for a single-semester course sequence.

    3. Bookstore Access Code Purchase:

      • Locations: Campus bookstore located in the SUB (Student Union Building) or Varsity Bookstore.

      • Pricing: Retail prices at the bookstore are higher than $99.99\$99.99 due to retail markup.

      • Target Users: Recommended for students utilizing university scholarships, athletic funding, or financial aid programs.

      • Required Option: Select the 18 week18\,\text{week} access option at the bookstore (avoid the 24 month24\,\text{month} option).

    4. 14-Day Temporary Access (Free Trial):

      • Price: $0.00\$0.00 upfront.

      • Location: Link located at the bottom of the Pearson registration page.

      • Duration: Provides full platform access for 14 days14\,\text{days}.

      • Lockout Policy: If payment is not completed by Day 1515, access is locked; however, zero submitted work, grades, or progress will be deleted or lost upon subsequent payment.

Digital Access Codes, Course Interface, and Administration

  • Canvas Integration and Account Setup Steps:

    1. Log into Canvas and click the Access Pearson link on the left-hand navigation panel.

    2. Select the purple action button to open the Pearson integration window.

    3. Sign in using existing Pearson credentials, or create a new account using an official TTU email and the password used for Canvas.

  • Retrieving Bookstore Digital Access Codes:

    • Digital access codes bought through the bookstore are fulfilled via email through Kortext.

    • Students should check their email inbox and search specifically for the string k o r t e x t or Kortext to locate their code.

  • Pearson Mastering Course Navigation:

    • Mastering Astronomy can be accessed seamlessly at any time through Canvas.

    • The platform interface contains direct links to Assignments, eText, and Grades.

  • Administrative Correction of Due Dates:

    • If newly registered accounts display tests or quizzes as past due or currently due, students should not panic.

    • Course administrators will manually enter user accounts to adjust and resolve due dates.