A new upper-level course in observational astronomy using an existing Celestron 14-inch telescope is being developed. The observations cover a wide range of topics in modern astronomy. A CCD camera is used to obtain images of star clusters, HII regions, and galaxies as the basis for instruction in image processing. Multicolor CCD photometry is done on an open cluster in order to plot the cluster's Hertzsprung Russell diagram. CCD photometry is also done on short period variables to determine their light curves. Classification spectroscopy of stars is performed using a grating spectrograph with a low dispersion grating and film or the CCD camera. High velocity spectroscopic binary stars are observed with a high dispersion grating and the CCD camera on the spectrograph to determine their orbital velocities. The observations are possible with the inexpensive telescope because they are primarily based on bright objects, and because the telescope is automatically guided by a second CCD camera, already on the telescope. Students can pursue independent research projects on fainter objects with the same equipment. Data obtained with the equipment is also used in the introductory astronomy course.
