This document discusses hands-on exercises for teaching astronomy concepts. It introduces CLEA (Contemporary Laboratory Experiences in Astronomy), a project that provides modular laboratory exercises using simulations and real data. The exercises are designed for non-science majors and illustrate modern astronomical techniques and data analysis. Some example CLEA modules measure star properties, study star clusters using the H-R diagram, and determine the speed of light using observations of Jupiter's moons. The goal is to provide an interactive, hands-on experience of what astronomers do through measurement simulations and analysis of real astronomical data sets.

1. CLEA:
An Interactive Teaching and
Learning on Earth and Space
Education
Hakim L. Malasan; Bosscha Observatory, ITB
J. Aria Utama; Earth & Space Lab., UPI

2. HANDS-ON EXCERCISES IN
ASTRONOMY?
• Hands-on activities, usually in a
laboratory setting, help students learn
through several processes (Hake, 1998).
•The problems: Astronomy is observati-
onal rather than experimental .
•Real observation = (at most cases) time
consuming.

3. HANDS-ON EXCERCISES IN
ASTRONOMY? (Cont.)
• Computer revolution  Fast growing
of simulation in the astronomy lab.
• Simulations are used widely 
Effectively reduce the risk or expense of
a real-world exercise.

4. WHY HAVE A LAB COMPONENT
TO AN ASTRONOMY COURSE?
• “Interactive Engagement” with real
astronomy
•Deeper understanding of the distinction
between observation and interpretation,
data and theory.
•Appreciation of what astronomers do—
the phenomenology of the science.

5. PROJECT CLEA
Contemporary Laboratory Experiences in
Astronomy
• Laboratory exercises illustrating modern astronomical
techniques (since 1992).
•Designed for non-science majors, but adaptable.
•Simulation of measurement process.
•Modern digital data and analysis techniques, using,
wherever possible, real data.
•Modular: each module includes software, student
workbook(s), technical guide.
•Funded by Gettysburg College and the NSF.

6. CLEA: The last decade

7. CLEA: Modules from 2007
A collaboration with the A collaboration with the
XMM-Newton mission GONG project

8. New CLEA: Modules in 2008
VIREO - Roemer Speed of
H- R Diagram of Light Experiment
Star Clusters Jupiter’s Moon

9. EXAMPLES OF FUNDAMENTAL
ASTRONOMICAL DATA SETS
•The Hubble Guide Star Catalog (coords and mags of
~20 million objects); USNO A2 (5 x108 objects), …
•The CfA Redshift Survey (mags, coordinates,
redshifts of ~5 x 104 galaxies
•Pulsar catalogs (coordinates, P, I(υ) for ~103 objects)
•Asteroid elements (coords, mags vs time for ~2 x105
objects)
•Large surveys: 2Mass (IR), SDSS (optical &NIR),
2dF (galaxies), etc.

10. Instrumentation of VIREO
•3 Optical/IR Telescopes: various apertures
•CCD Camera
•IR Camera
•Aperture Photometer
•Photon-Counting Spectrometer
•Multi-Aperture Spectrometer
•Radio Telescope: configurable aperture, etc.
•3 separately tunable receivers
•Analysis tools for
•Spectroscopy
•Imaging
•Astrometry