Courses

Introduction to Astronomy

This is a one-term course that is designed to give students an introduction to observational astronomy. In the classroom, the basic principles of astronomy are taught, including the layout of the heavens, a study of the Solar System, a history of astronomy, and the basic principles of telescopes. At the Hawley Observatory, students work independently at least one clear night a week learning the constellations, phases of the moon, and how to use a telescope to find objects that are invisible to the naked eye. Upon completion of this course, students are then encouraged to take the two-term course, Stars and Galaxies.

Stellar Astronomy

This course builds upon the Introduction to Astronomy course and is focused upon the nature of stars in our universe as we know it. During the regularly scheduled daytime classes, students will study the sun, how stars evolve, and how spectra are used to determine the properties and components of stars. A minimum of one clear night a week will be spent at the observatory collecting observations that will be used to complement the study of stars. Full use of the Hawley Observatory telescopes is available. Additional equipment used to support student initiated projects includes digital cameras, filters, spectrometers, and sophisticated software for image processing.

Galactic Astronomy

This course builds upon the Introduction to Astronomy course and is focused upon the nature of galaxies in our universe as we know it. During the regularly scheduled daytime classes, students will study the variety of galactic structures in our universe and how those structures might have evolved since the Big Bang. A minimum of one clear night a week will be spent at the observatory collecting observations that will be used to complement the study of galaxies. Full use of the Hawley Observatory telescopes is available. Additional equipment used to support student initiated projects includes digital cameras, filters, and sophisticated software for image processing.

Advanced Research in Astronomy

This course is an in-depth investigation of the fundamental forces in nature and how they combine to produce the splendidly intricate universe in which we reside. Topics will include the Big Bang, GUTs, Inflation, Gravitational Lensing, Quasars, Gamma Ray Bursters, Super Novae, and Black Hole dynamics. Topics that will be explored through projects at the Hawley Observatory include orbital dynamics, stellar spectra, and photometry and how they are used to study variable stars, asteroid and comet orbits, to classify stars and galaxies, to search for and observe supernovae, and to analyze spectroscopic binaries. Students will push our equipment to its limit. Students will learn, through their projects, how to plan, set realistic goals, and develop and maintain a reasonable schedule. Students will gain knowledge and expertise in the basics of scientific research and computer technology.

Science Topics

The Topics Program offers Sixth Formers an additional educational opportunity to pursue their passions in a particular discipline once all courses in the division, including electives, have been fully exhausted by a student. Topics are available in each of the five academic divisions, Arts, Humanities, Languages, Mathematics, and the Sciences. The Topics program offers an opportunity for a student to do independent work under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Students interested in applying for Topics must be highly motivated, independent learners with excellent academic records. By its nature, a Topics proposal requires considerable forethought by the student. Students must petition a faculty member to serve as the adviser to their project, recognizing that not all faculty members will be able to take on this extra time commitment. The role of the Topics adviser varies between Topics and is, therefore, clearly stated in the students Topics proposal. As part of the application process, a student must have written approval from their group adviser, Topics adviser, and division head. The Topics Committee, made up of the five academic division heads and the academic dean makes the final decision as to approve or not approve Topics proposals. Applications and directions for all Topics proposals can be picked up in the Academic Deans office. Students submit completed Topics proposals to the appropriate division head no later than the deadlines posted in the Academic Calendar.

St. Paul's students and faculty conduct observing and research using both Hawley Observatory and national laboratories. Here are links to some published results related to recent Topics courses.

• Rosette's Glow
• The Formaldehyde Masers in Sgr B2: Very Long Baseline Array and Very Large Array Observations (PDF)
• VLBA Observations of G5.89-0.39: OH masers and magnetic field structure (PDF)

This coursework, in addition to Independent Studies, have also generated the galleries displayed on this site.