INDEPENDENT PROJECT: The Summer Night Sky
|
|
- Diana Owens
- 5 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 INDEPENDENT PROJECT: The Summer Night Sky What is the difference between observing and looking? As John Rummel said to the Madison Astronomical Society, January 11, 2002: Looking implies a passive exercise whereas observing is active and purposeful. The looker glances for a moment, and then moves on. The observer studies, considers, examines, and lingers. A good exercise to illuminate the difference is to watch somebody passively look at an object or scene, and then watch somebody who is trying to sketch or otherwise make a written record of the scene so that he or she can describe it to somebody else. The act of sketching or recording what is seen requires close observation and examination. Amateur astronomers, who have made a sketch of the planet Jupiter, or of a section of the lunar surface, know the difference. In all observing projects in this course, the main goal is to observe, rather than just look. In this exercise, The Summer Night Sky, the objectives are to: 1. Observe, identify, and locate stars. This includes locating and naming a number of specific stars, and measuring (with hands and eyes) the angles between stars. 2. Study constellations and asterisms. This involves identifying groups or patterns of stars. 3. Identify and locate any visible planets (those which can be seen with the naked eye). 4. If the moon is visible, identify its phase and locate it. Write down the date, time, place, and sky condition each time you observe. Draw the stars, constellations, and planets that you see, as dots on a page, while you observe them. Measure coordinates and angles yourself, while you are out there under the night sky. DO NOT DRAW ANYTHING ON YOUR MAPS THAT YOU DO NOT OBSERVE WITH YOUR OWN EYES. Tips on being prepared for observing: Observe from a dark, elevated site with a wide, unimpeded view of the sky. The goal is to have no artificial lights in sight and be as high above sea level as possible. Do not observe with any lights on nearby, including streetlights. Get away from them. Preserve your night vision. It takes the eyes minutes to become dilated and achieve night vision. A white beam from a flashlight or car headlights will ruin your night vision and you will not be able to see as many stars. Soft red light does not ruin your night vision. To see things like this page in the dark while observing the night sky, use a red flashlight or red LED. Put a red balloon over the end of a flashlight, or buy a key- chain red LED light for two or three dollars at a local store. Dress appropriately to stay warm and comfortable while standing outside for an hour. It may be very cold outside. Do not let insufficient clothing affect your observing session. Take a camera to meet the photography requirement. The Summer Night Sky Summer 2016 Page 1
2 All the drawings must be real drawings you made while outside under the stars. Draw only what you actually see. Do not copy constellations from star charts, and DO NOT draw lines connecting the stars in your constellation drawings. Any constellation drawn with lines connecting its stars earns zero points. Three different nights is the minimum requirement for how many nights you observe the night sky and record your results for this project. REPORTING YOUR OBSERVING RESULTS For each night you observe you MUST create a page that contains the following information. This information can go on the same page as the drawing, or the first drawing you make that night if you make more than one constellation drawing that night: 1. Date (each and every page of night sky drawings must have a date on it) 2. Times (start time and end time) 3. Location (be specific, give an address or a physical description of where your observing site is located) 4. Weather (be specific, give the temperature and describe the cloudiness, haziness, windiness) 5. Quality of seeing (excellent, good, moderate, or poor, and why) 6. Labeled drawings of constellations/stars/planets. See below for targets. a. Each drawing must include an indication of the horizon - hills/houses/trees along bottom of drawing, or, if looking high in the sky draw an arrow pointing down and labeling it toward the horizon stating which compass direction the arrow points; for example, to western horizon. 7. Each drawing must have your name and the date on it. The Photography Requirement: A. At least three of your constellation drawings must be accompanied by a photograph you took of that part of the sky during that observing session. B. At least one of your planet drawings must be accompanied by a photograph you took of that part of the sky during that observing session, in which the planet is visible. C. At least one moon drawing (at least one moon drawing is required) must be accompanied by a photograph in which the moon is visible. D. The photographs should be printed on (or glued upon) regular notebook-size pages, and should be date-stamped. (If your camera does not have the date-stamp option, write the date and time on the page with the photo.) Add a caption stating what is depicted in the photograph (what the camera was aimed at when you took the photograph). NOTE: If you find it difficult to get the stars to show up in your photographs, then you could try the following: 1) If your first attempt at night sky photographs fails, try again, perhaps with a borrowed camera, or, if you are using a smartphone, use an app that allows you to take nightsky or long-exposure photographs. 2) Try taking photographs of the brightest celestial objects the moon, the brightest star, or the brightest planet. At least those should show up in your photographs. The Summer Night Sky Summer 2016 Page 2
3 OBSERVING TARGETS AND TASKS 1. The circumpolar constellations. On clear nights, the circumpolar stars are always visible from mid-latitudes (like Wenatchee) and from higher latitudes closer to the earth s North Pole. In the northern sky, locate the star Polaris and the constellations Ursa Minor (which includes the Little Dipper asterism), and Ursa Major (including the Big Dipper asterism.) Draw a sketch of the stars you see defining the circumpolar constellations. Label the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper, and the stars Polaris and Mizar/Alcor. o Note: Only label Alcor if you can see it, a faint star right next to Mizar. On a dark, clear night, from a dark observing site, look for Cassiopeia in the circumpolar sky. Draw its visible stars and label the constellation. 2. The Big Dipper Asterism as a Locator. This needs to be a separate drawing from the one you make for the circumpolar constellations (above). It needs to be made either later the same night or else on a different night. Draw the Big Dipper Asterism. On your drawing of the Big Dipper, draw an arrow through the pointer stars extending in the direction of Polaris, the North Star. Label the tip of the arrow to Polaris. Draw an arcing arrow extending through and beyond the handle of the Big Dipper, and label it arc to Arcturus. (Note: For many more ways to use the Big Dipper, and Orion, to find constellations, check out the web page 3. Your Option Pick a constellation not listed below or above Make your own choice of a constellation, not one of the ones already listed in the other targets. Draw and label the constellation. Label its brightest star. 4. The Summer Triangle An asterism that shows where three constellations are Draw and label the three stars of the Summer Triangle Vega, Deneb, and Altair. Vega is highest up and furthest west, Deneb is high up but to the east of Vega, and Altair is down below to the south of the other two stars. Indicate which way is north (N) which is east (E), and west (W), on your drawing. Lyra is the constellation that Vega is in. Draw some more stars that you can see in the constellation Lyra, and label it Lyra. Cygnus is the constellation that Deneb is in. Draw some more stars that you can see in the constellation Cygnus, and label it Cygnus. Aquila is the constellation that Altair is in. Draw some more stars that you can see in the constellation Aquila, and label it Aquila. Use altazimuth coordinates for measuring where these stars are in your view of the night sky. Write your measurements in the table for altazimuth coordinates (below). The Summer Night Sky Summer 2016 Page 3
4 Altazimuth coordinates are altitude and azimuth. Altitude is the angle above the horizon, which ranges from 0 degrees (at the horizon) to 90 degrees (at the zenith). Your fist, held at arm s length with your elbow locked and your thumb inside your fist spans about 10 degrees of your field of view. Azimuth is the compass direction of the point on horizon directly below the object. Azimuth values range from 0 degrees (due North) to 360 degrees at which point due North is reached again and the azimuth value goes back to 0 degrees. The azimuth value for due East is 90 degrees, due South is 180 degrees, and due West 270 degrees. 5. Virgo Draw and label the constellation Virgo (the virgin). Label the brightest star in Virgo: Spica. 6. Boötes Draw and Label the constellation Boötes (the herdsman, ox handler, plowman). Label the brightest star in Boötes: Arcturus. 7. Hercules Draw and Label the constellation Hercules (the hero who completed his tasks). Draw lines connecting the four trapezoid stars at the center of Hercules. 8. Scorpius Draw and Label the constellation Scorpius (the scorpion). Label the brightest star in Scorpius: Antares (red rival of Mars). 9. The moon you are likely to see the moon on at least one of the nights you observe. One moon observation is required. (If the moon shows up on drawings of any constellations you observe because it happens to be there in that part of the sky, draw it then also the moon might show up in your drawings more than once.) Draw the moon, name its phase, give its altazimuth coordinates, and state which constellation it is in. Also, remember to photograph it. 10. The Planets. Observe, draw and label at least three of the following planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury. Those and Mars are the only planets you can see without a telescope or binoculars, but Mars lines up too close to the Sun to see this summer. Witnessing Mercury, which is possible only in early July this summer, and documenting your observation of it well, can add extra points to your night sky project. On your drawings: The Summer Night Sky Summer 2016 Page 4
5 Label each planet. Make your dot of the planet colored, as follows: If Mars, red, if Jupiter, yellow, if Saturn, brown, if Venus, green, if Mercury, blue. You can color it later, after making the initial dot in pencil or pen with no particular color., by adding a little color over and around the dot. Draw the brightest stars you can see in the vicinity of the planets. If a star near the planet is particularly bright and well known, such as Spica or Regulus, label that star. Label the constellation each planet is in. Give the altazimuth coordinates for the planet (in the table below). Note that your constellation drawings (above) such as for Sagittarius, may include a planet or two as part of what is in view. General notes on finding planets: The word planet means wanderer. This is because, as seen from Earth, the planets slowly wander across the fixed constellations of the zodiac. As the days, weeks and months go by, the locations of the planets relative to the background stars, and relative to the Sun, keep changing. This is because the planets all revolve around the Sun in orbital planes close to the ecliptic plane. (The ecliptic plane is the plane of Earth s orbit around the Sun.) The stars, because they are so far away, will not appear to change their positions in the sky in your lifetime at least not enough for you to detect with your naked eye. Planets often appear brighter and twinkle much less than stars do, although that is not always the case. Finding the Planets, Summer 2016 It is up to you to find out where the planets are, as part of how you plan to observe. The planets move from zodiacal constellation to zodiacal constellation, staying relatively close to the ecliptic, which is the annual path the Sun makes across the stars. This wandering from constellation to constellation is why the planets are called planets: the word means wanderers. Mercury moves fast, stays close to the Sun, is is difficult to observe because the sunlight tends to wash it out. Venus moves pretty fast, too, and will change its position in the sky significantly over the course of a couple of months. The other planets, out beyond Earth, move more slowly and stay in a single constellation for weeks or sometimes months before then move on to the next constellation. In the evenings when it first gets dark, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn will be quite visible through summer quarter Venus and Mercury won t be visible the last of July, when they will be visible in the twilight right after sunset, above where the Sun just went down. To see them, particularly Mercury, you probably will need to be somewhere outside of the Wenatchee and Columbia River valleys, where you don t get such a high set of hills or mountains close to you to the west, blocking your view of the horizon.
6 Use the following table to record the date/time and altazimuth coordinates for observing targets from the list above, and the moon if you observe it. In addition, in the table below, write your measurements of the altazimuth coordinates of each planet you saw and measured. Finally, measure the angles specified in the last three rows and write them down. Date, Time: Arcturus azimuth: altitude: Date, Time: Spica azimuth: altitude: Date, Time: Vega azimuth: altitude: Date, Time: Altair azimuth: altitude: Date, Time: Deneb azimuth: altitude: Date, Time: Jupiter azimuth: altitude: Date, Time: Saturn azimuth: altitude: Date, Time: Mars azimuth: altitude: Date, Time: Angle between Polaris and Arcturus angle: Date, Time: Angle between Mars and Jupiter angle: Date, Time: Angle between Saturn and Mars angle: The following are requirements: Only draw what you actually see, with your own eyes, in the actual night sky. Do not draw any lines connecting stars in your constellations (except where specifically asked for in the instructions for that target). Draw only dots (or tiny circles) to show the stars and planets you observe. Bigger dots mean brighter, smaller dots mean dimmer. Include some horizon features on any drawings you make that show stars located in the lower half of your sky. This will orient your sketch for those who look at it later. Houses, trees, hills, mountains in background, are common horizon features. Put the date and time on each page of your drawings. Record the complete set of weather data and other information for each night you observe (see instructions on page 3).
INDEPENDENT PROJECT: The Autumn Night Sky
INDEPENDENT PROJECT: The Autumn Night Sky Your Name: What is the difference between observing and looking? As John Rummel said to the Madison Astronomical Society, January 11, 2002: Looking implies a passive
More informationINDEPENDENT PROJECT: The Autumn Night Sky
INDEPENDENT PROJECT: The Autumn Night Sky Your Name: What is the difference between observing and looking? As John Rummel said to the Madison Astronomical Society, January 11, 2002: Looking implies a passive
More informationINDEPENDENT PROJECT: The Autumn Night Sky
INDEPENDENT PROJECT: The Autumn Night Sky Your Name: What is the difference between observing and looking? As John Rummel said to the Madison Astronomical Society, January 11, 2002: Looking implies a passive
More informationINDEPENDENT PROJECT: The Spring Night Sky
INDEPENDENT PROJECT: The Spring Night Sky Your Name: Today s world of clicking and surfing around on the web has probably reduced our ability to patiently, deliberately, and intensely observe. Looking
More informationINDEPENDENT PROJECT: The Spring Night Sky
INDEPENDENT PROJECT: The Spring Night Sky Your Name: Today s world of clicking and surfing around on the web has probably reduced our ability to patiently, deliberately, and intensely observe. Looking
More informationExploring the Night Sky
Lincoln Hills Astronomy Group Exploring the Night Sky October 14, 2009 1 Lincoln Hills Astronomy Group Exploring the Night Sky Objectives Learn how to locate and identify objects in the night sky using
More informationWHAT'S UP THIS MONTH MAY 2018
WHAT'S UP THIS MONTH MAY 2018 THESE PAGES ARE INTENDED TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR WAY AROUND THE SKY The chart on the last page is included for printing off and use outside The chart above shows the whole night
More informationTAAS Fabulous Fifty. Friday July 14, MDT (8:00 pm) All TAAS and other new and not so new astronomers are invited.
TAAS Fabulous Fifty Scorpius Friday July 14, 2017 2000 MDT (8:00 pm) All TAAS and other new and not so new astronomers are invited Photo Courtesy of Naoyuki Kurita Evening Events 8:00 pm Meet inside the
More informationAstrochart Links: Pennsic 43: coming July 25
Astrochart Links: Pennsic 43: coming July 25 Here are the views of the sky each night of Pennsic XLIII, July & August 2014. Stars begin to come out half an hour after sunset, around 9 o'clock to half past,
More informationToday in Space News: Space.com story. More info from NASA. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
Today in Space News: Space.com story More info from NASA Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS Study Points (marked with *) Describe positions of stars, Moon, Sun on the sky using direction and altitude. Do this
More informationWHAT ARE THE CONSTELLATIONS
CONSTELLATIONS WHAT ARE THE CONSTELLATIONS In popular usage, the term constellation is used to denote a recognizable grouping of stars. Astronomers have redefined the constellations as 88 regions of the
More informationLocal Coordinates. These are centered upon you, the observer.
Astronomy 30, Observing #3 Name: Lab Partners: Date: Materials: This lab, with the star chart completed from the pre-lab. Some sheets of paper for sketches. A pencil with eraser. A small flashlight, ideally
More informationASTRONOMY Merit Badge Requirements
ASTRONOMY Merit Badge Requirements 1) Do the following: A) Sketch the face of the moon, indicating on it the locations of at least five seas and five craters. B) Within a single week, sketch the position
More informationName: Date: 5. The bright stars Vega, Deneb, and Altair form A) the summer triangle. B) the winter triangle. C) the Big Dipper. D) Orion, the Hunter.
Name: Date: 1. If there are about 6000 stars in the entire sky that can be seen by the unaided human eye, about how many stars would be seen at a particular instant on a given dark night from a single
More informationOBSERVING THE NIGHT SKY I
29:50 Astronomy Lab Evening Sections Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe Fall 2010 Name Date Grade /10 OBSERVING THE NIGHT SKY I INTRODUCTION In this session we will observe the night sky. The idea is to
More informationWHAT'S UP THIS MONTH - OCTOBER 2015
WHAT'S UP THIS MONTH - OCTOBER 2015 THESE PAGES ARE INTENDED TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR WAY AROUND THE SKY The chart above shows the night sky as it appears on 15 th October at 10 o clock in the evening British
More informationFYI. 0 You will need to take notes this information will come in handy when going through this unit and on the cok.
FYI 0 You will need to take notes this information will come in handy when going through this unit and on the cok. One of the best ways to get started as a backyard astronomer is to learn the constellations.
More information8.9 Observing Celestial Objects from Earth
8.9 Observing Celestial Objects from Earth Celestial objects are visible from Earth both by day and by night. In the daytime you can see the Sun and, sometimes, the Moon. Looking up at the night sky on
More informationSteps: A Windows to the Universe Citizen Science Event. October 1-15, 2007
Steps: WHAT do I need? Pen or pencil Red-light or night-vision flashlight GPS unit, access to the Internet or topographic map Printed Activity Guide with report form HOW do I make a nightvision flashlight?
More informationFriday April 21, :30 MDT (7:30 pm) All TAAS and other new and not so new astronomers are invited. Ursa Major. Photo Courtesy of Naoyuki Kurita
TAAS Fabulous Fifty Friday April 21, 2017 19:30 MDT (7:30 pm) Ursa Major Photo Courtesy of Naoyuki Kurita All TAAS and other new and not so new astronomers are invited Evening Events 7:30 pm Meet inside
More informationKitt Peak Nightly Observing Program
Kitt Peak Nightly Observing Program Splendors of the Universe on YOUR Night! Many pictures are links to larger versions. Click here for the Best images of the OTOP Gallery and more information. Engagement
More informationWHAT'S UP THIS MONTH JUNE 2017
WHAT'S UP THIS MONTH JUNE 2017 THESE PAGES ARE INTENDED TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR WAY AROUND THE SKY The chart on the last page is included for printing off and use outside The chart above shows the whole
More informationASTRONOMY MERIT BADGE WORK SHEET BYU MERIT BADGE POWWOW
ASTRONOMY MERIT BADGE WORK SHEET BYU MERIT BADGE POWWOW Revision July 2013 Scout s Name Instructor s Name Scout s Address City State Instructions 1) The Scout is to review the merit badge book before the
More informationKitt Peak Nightly Observing Program
Kitt Peak Nightly Observing Program Splendors of the Universe on YOUR Night! Many pictures are links to larger versions. Click here for the Best images of the OTOP Gallery and more information. Engagement
More informationWHAT'S UP THIS MONTH OCTOBER 2017
WHAT'S UP THIS MONTH OCTOBER 2017 THESE PAGES ARE INTENDED TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR WAY AROUND THE SKY The chart on the last page is included for printing off and use outside The chart above shows the night
More informationNEWBURY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September 2016
NEWBURY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September 2016 An artist s impression of Proxima b orbiting Alpha Centauri C (Proxima) A planet has been discovered orbiting our closest neighbour star and
More informationAstronomy Club of Asheville January 2016 Sky Events
January 2016 Sky Events The Planets this Month - page 2 Planet Highlights - page 7 All 5 Naked-Eye Planets in the Dawn Sky - page 10 Moon Phases - page 11 Earth Reaches Perihelion on Jan. 4 - page 12 Quadrantid
More informationExploring the Night Sky: Star Charts and Stellarium
Names: Grade Exploring the Night Sky: Charts and Stellarium Pre-Lab Quiz Record you team s answer as well as your reasonings and explanations. 1. 2. 3. 4. Part 1: Using a SC001 Constellation Chart Coordinates
More informationMotions in the Sky. Stars Planets Sun Moon. Photos - APOD. Motions in the Sky - I. Intro to Solar System
Motions in the Sky Stars Planets Sun Moon Photos - APOD 1 STARS: background for motion of other objects patterns - constellations zodiac: special set of constellations trace the apparent path of the Sun
More informationKitt Peak Nightly Observing Program
Kitt Peak Nightly Observing Program Splendors of the Universe on YOUR Night! Many pictures are links to larger versions. Click here for the Best images of the OTOP Gallery and more information. Summer
More informationBOY SCOUT ASTRONOMY MERIT BADGE WORKSHOP
Feb2018 BOY SCOUT ASTRONOMY MERIT BADGE WORKSHOP The session is from 8:00am-12:30pm. All pre-requisite questions must be done on your own or with your troop BEFORE 8am on workshop day. Name Troop Leader
More informationThe Sky. Day sky: the Sun, occasionally the Moon. Night Sky: stars, and sometimes the Moon
The Sky Day sky: the Sun, occasionally the Moon Night Sky: stars, and sometimes the Moon So MANY objects.how Do We Make Sense of it ALL?? Goal How to describe the locations of objects in the sky To understand
More informationChapter 1 Astronomy Lesson 1 Our Solar System S4E1.b, d; S4E2.d; S4CS7.b;
Table of Contents Georgia Performance Standards Correlation Chart........... 6 Performance Standards Chapter 1 Astronomy................................. 11 Lesson 1 Our Solar System.............................
More informationThe Moon & Telescopes: Part 2
Names: Grade The Moon & Telescopes: Part 2 I have four wings, but cannot fly, I never laugh and never cry; On the same spot I m always found, Toiling away with little sound. What am I? Pre-Lab Quiz Record
More informationCHAPTER 2 A USER'S GUIDE TO THE SKY
CHAPTER 2 A USER'S GUIDE TO THE SKY MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. Seen from the northern latitudes (mid-northern hemisphere), the star Polaris a. is never above the horizon during the day. b. always sets directly
More informationMeridian Circle through Zenith, North Celestial Pole, Zenith Direction Straight Up from Observer. South Celestial Pole
Chapter 3 How Earth and Sky Work- Effects of Latitude In chapters 3 and 4we will learn why our view of the heavens depends on our position on the Earth, the time of day, and the day of the year. We will
More informationThe Night Sky in June, 2016
The Night Sky in June, 2016 We are in June already and on the 21 st it will be the Summer Solstice! It is hard to believe that it is mid-summer when the Summer seems to have only just started in the UK!
More informationPHYS 160 Astronomy Test #1 Name Answer Key Test Version A
PHYS 160 Astronomy Test #1 Name Answer Key Test Version A True False Multiple Choice 1. T 1. C 2. F 2. B 3. T 3. A 4. T 4. E 5. T 5. B 6. F 6. A 7. F 7. A 8. T 8. D 9. F 9. D 10. F 10. B 11. B 12. D Definitions
More informationChapter 2 Discovering the Universe for Yourself. What does the universe look like from Earth? Constellations. 2.1 Patterns in the Night Sky
Chapter 2 Discovering the Universe for Yourself 2.1 Patterns in the Night Sky Our goals for learning: What does the universe look like from Earth? Why do stars rise and set? Why do the constellations we
More information4. What is the main advantage of the celestial coordinate system over altitude-azimuth coordinates?
SUMMARY Looking at the night sky is not only fun, it will help you understand some of the phenomena described in chapters 1 and 2. Star maps will help you identify constellations and bright stars, and
More informationChapter 2 Discovering the Universe for Yourself
Chapter 2 Discovering the Universe for Yourself 2.1 Patterns in the Night Sky Our goals for learning: What does the universe look like from Earth? Why do stars rise and set? Why do the constellations we
More informationBU Astronomy Department AS 10X courses. Night Lab 2 What s the name of that star?
BU Astronomy Department AS 10X courses Night Lab 2 What s the name of that star? The objectives for this Night Lab are: To learn how to find constellations and other objects in the sky using a star chart
More informationAstronomy 100 Section 2 MWF Greg Hall. Class Web Page. Outline. Astronomy: The Big Picture
Astronomy 100 Section 2 MWF 1200-1300 100 Greg Hall Leslie Looney Phone: 217-244-3615 Email: lwl @ uiuc. edu Office: Astro Building #218 Office Hours: MTF 10:30-11:30 a.m. or by appointment Class Web Page
More informationChapter 2 Discovering the Universe for Yourself. Copyright 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Chapter 2 Discovering the Universe for Yourself 1 2.1 Patterns in the Night Sky Our goals for learning: What does the universe look like from Earth? Why do stars rise and set? Why do the constellations
More informationAstronomy Club of Asheville February 2018 Sky Events
February 2018 Sky Events The Planets this Month page 2 The Gibbous Moon Joins Jupiter, Mars and Antares page 7 A Crescent Moon Pairs with Venus page 8 Conjunction of Near Full Moon with Regulus page 9
More informationKitt Peak Nightly Observing Program
Kitt Peak Nightly Observing Program Splendors of the Universe on YOUR Night! Many pictures are links to larger versions. Click here for the Best images of the OTOP Gallery and more information. The Coathanger
More informationWHAT'S UP THIS MONTH - NOVEMBER 2015
WHAT'S UP THIS MONTH - NOVEMBER 2015 THESE PAGES ARE INTENDED TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR WAY AROUND THE SKY The chart above shows the night sky as it appears on 15 th November at 9 o clock in the evening Greenwich
More informationCELESTIAL COORDINATES
ASTR 1030 Astronomy Lab 27 Celestial Coordinates CELESTIAL COORDINATES GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES The Earth's geographic coordinate system is familiar to everyone - the north and south poles are defined by
More informationCelestial Coordinate Systems
Celestial Coordinate Systems Introduction How does one go about describing the position of an object in the sky? Astronomers cannot rely on the imprecise method of merely pointing at an object. There must
More informationK through 8. Charles Scaife Department of Chemistry Union College Schenectady, NY Physical Science/ Astronomy
Charles Scaife Department of Chemistry Union College Schenectady, NY 12308 K through 8 Physical Science/ Astronomy Goals: Make your own constellation viewer by punching a constellation pattern into the
More informationIntroduction to the sky
Introduction to the sky On a clear, moonless night, far from city lights, the night sky is magnificent. Roughly 2000 stars are visible to the unaided eye. If you know where to look, you can see Mercury,
More informationGoals of this course. Welcome to Stars, Galaxies & the Universe. Grading for Stars, Galaxies & Universe. Other things you need to know: Course Website
Welcome to Stars, Galaxies & the Universe Grading for Stars, Galaxies & Universe One-hour exams (3 exams, dates on syllabus) 300 Final exam (16 December 2010) 150 Homework (10 of 12 ICON assignments) 100
More informationUsing the Star Wheel Laboratory 2
Objective: Using the Star Wheel Laboratory 2 This laboratory introduces the Star Wheel; which is a common tool used in backyard observing. This tool helps approximate the location of constellations and
More informationIndoor Lab #2: The Starry Sky
17 Indoor Lab #2: The Starry Sky Objectives: To tour the sky and explore the way in which it moves, using the sky simulation program Starry Night Pro. Check out the information sheet on SN first, and try
More informationThe light from the stars we see at night travel great distances to reach Earth. Other than the sun, Proxima Centauriis the next closest
The light from the stars we see at night travel great distances to reach Earth. Other than the sun, Proxima Centauriis the next closest star. The light that we see from it takes over 4 yearsto reach our
More informationTHE LAYOUT OF THE PLANISPHERE
CONSTELLATIONS The rotation of the Earth on its axis causes the stars to rise and set each evening. In addition, the orbit of the Earth around the Sun places different regions of the sky in our night-time
More informationPHYSICS 107. Lecture 4 Ancient Astronomy
PHYSICS 107 Lecture 4 Ancient Astronomy Introduction Astronomy is the oldest science. There are astronomical artifacts going back 8000 years. Many ancient cultures on every continent seem to have had examples
More informationThe celestial sphere, the coordinates system, seasons, phases of the moon and eclipses. Chapters 2 and S1
The celestial sphere, the coordinates system, seasons, phases of the moon and eclipses Chapters 2 and S1 The celestial sphere and the coordinates system Chapter S1 How to find our way in the sky? Let s
More informationSky, Celestial Sphere and Constellations
Sky, Celestial Sphere and Constellations Last lecture Galaxies are the main building blocks of the universe. Consists of few billions to hundreds of billions of stars, gas clouds (nebulae), star clusters,
More information3 - Celestial Sphere
3 - Celestial Sphere Purpose: To construct and use a celestial sphere to show the motion of the Sun and stars in the sky. There are six questions, Q1 Q6, to answer on a separate piece of paper. Due: in
More informationChapter 2 Discovering the Universe for Yourself
Chapter 2 Discovering the Universe for Yourself 2.1 Patterns in the Night Sky Our goals for learning: What does the universe look like from Earth? Why do stars rise and set? Why do the constellations we
More informationTHE SKY. Sc. Sec. di primo grado M. Codermatz - Trieste August, 2008
THE SKY G. Iafrate (a), M. Ramella (a) and V. Bologna (b) (a) INAF - Astronomical Observatory of Trieste (b) Istituto Comprensivo S. Giovanni Sc. Sec. di primo grado M. Codermatz - Trieste August, 2008
More information5 - Seasons. Figure 1 shows two pictures of the Sun taken six months apart with the same camera, at the same time of the day, from the same location.
Name: Partner(s): 5 - Seasons ASTR110L Purpose: To measure the distance of the Earth from the Sun over one year and to use the celestial sphere to understand the cause of the seasons. Answer all questions
More informationBrock University. Test 1, October 2017 Number of pages: 9 Course: ASTR 1P01, Section 1 Number of Students: 470 Date of Examination: October 3, 2017
Brock University Test 1, October 2017 Number of pages: 9 Course: ASTR 1P01, Section 1 Number of Students: 470 Date of Examination: October 3, 2017 Number of hours: 50 min Time of Examination: 17:00 17:50
More informationKitt Peak Nightly Observing Program
Kitt Peak Nightly Observing Program Splendors of the Universe on YOUR Night! Many pictures are links to larger versions. Click here for the Best images of the OTOP Gallery and more information. Make Edits
More informationThe Rotating Sky Student Guide
III. Horizon Coordinates The Rotating Sky Student Guide Don t write your answers on here! 1.) Complete the following table involving the horizon coordinate system. You should predict the answers and then
More informationMEASURING ANGLES. name. Fig 2: Tycho Brahe in Denmark. His observations were later used by Kepler.
name MEASURING ANGLES Fig 1: Islamic Astronomers of the Middle Ages in an Observatory in Istanbul. Fig 2: Tycho Brahe in Denmark. His observations were later used by Kepler. Have you ever thought how we
More informationWHAT'S UP THIS MONTH OCTOBER 2018
WHAT'S UP THIS MONTH OCTOBER 2018 THESE PAGES ARE INTENDED TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR WAY AROUND THE SKY The chart above shows the night sky as it appears on 15 th October at 21:00 (9 o clock) in the evening
More informationChapter 2 Lecture. The Cosmic Perspective Seventh Edition. Discovering the Universe for Yourself
Chapter 2 Lecture The Cosmic Perspective Seventh Edition Discovering the Universe for Yourself Discovering the Universe for Yourself 2.1 Patterns in the Night Sky Our goals for learning: What does the
More informationIndoor Lab #1: The Celestial Sphere
11 Indoor Lab #1: The Celestial Sphere Objective: The celestial globe is a simple device but one of the best ways to develop clear ideas on how the sky works. Go slowly through sections 1 3 to make sure
More informationPhysics Lab #6:! Mercury!
Physics 10293 Lab #6: Mercury Introduction Today we will explore the motions in the sky of the innermost planet in our solar system: Mercury. Both Mercury and Venus were easily visible to the naked eye
More informationNEWBURY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY MONTHLY MAGAZINE June 2016 This will be the last magazine until September
NEWBURY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY MONTHLY MAGAZINE June 2016 This will be the last magazine until September The transit of Mercury on 9 th May 2016 imaged by SOHO The transit of the innermost planet Mercury
More informationChapter 2 Lecture. The Cosmic Perspective Seventh Edition. Discovering the Universe for Yourself Pearson Education, Inc.
Chapter 2 Lecture The Cosmic Perspective Seventh Edition Discovering the Universe for Yourself Discovering the Universe for Yourself 2.1 Patterns in the Night Sky Our goals for learning: What does the
More informationAstronomy 1 Introductory Astronomy Spring 2014
Astronomy 1 Introductory Astronomy Spring 2014 Lab 5: Observing the Sky pt. 2 Quick overview Meet at 8 p.m. in Science Center Room 187. We will go up to the roof from there, and make several different
More informationPHYS 160 Astronomy Test #1 Fall 2017 Version B
PHYS 160 Astronomy Test #1 Fall 2017 Version B 1 I. True/False (1 point each) Circle the T if the statement is true, or F if the statement is false on your answer sheet. 1. An object has the same weight,
More informationKitt Peak Nightly Observing Program
Kitt Peak Nightly Observing Program Splendors of the Universe on YOUR Night! Many pictures are links to larger versions. Click here for the Best images of the OTOP Gallery and more information. Engagement
More informationConstellations and Asterisms
Constellations and Asterisms Constellations When ancient people looked at the sky they saw patterns and gave names to apparent groups of stars. Constellation patterns have been found on tablets over 4000
More informationAMATEUR OBSERVERS' SOCIETY INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY OBSERVING PROGRAM
AMATEUR OBSERVERS' SOCIETY INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY OBSERVING PROGRAM Introduction When you go out at night to observe the sky, whether with the help of a telescope, a pair of binoculars, or simply using
More informationCHAPTER 2 A USER'S GUIDE TO THE SKY
CHAPTER 2 A USER'S GUIDE TO THE SKY MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. In one way of naming stars, a letter indicates its brightness relative to the other stars in the constellation. a. English b. Arabic c. Greek d. Cyrillic
More informationThe. Astronomy is full of cycles. Like the day, the month, & the year In this section we will try to understand these cycles.
Understanding The Sky Astronomy is full of cycles Like the day, the month, & the year In this section we will try to understand these cycles. For Example Why do we think of stars as nighttime objects?
More informationUSING YOUR FIELD GUIDE AND STAR CHARTS PRELAB
USING YOUR FIELD GUIDE AND STAR CHARTS PRELAB 1. Explain the main differences between using a star wheel and a star chart to find things in the night sky. 2. Explain the terms Hour Angle, Meridian and
More informationObserving the Universe for Yourself
Observing the Universe for Yourself Figure 6-20 Solar-System Formation What does the universe look like from Earth? With the naked eye, we can see more than 2,000 stars as well as the Milky Way. A constellation
More informationWHAT S UP? JULY The Night Sky for Mid-Month at 10PM (Credit: Cartes du Ceil)
WHAT S UP? JULY 2013 The monsoon season begins in earnest in July (we hope!), which could definitely affect evening viewing, at least shortly after sunset, until the storm clouds die down. Constellations
More informationBoy Scout Badge Workshop ASTRONOMY
Boy Scout Badge Workshop ASTRONOMY Welcome to the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium! During this workshop, you will explore the museum, see a show in the planetarium, and try out some other
More informationAstronomy Club of Asheville November 2017 Sky Events
November 2017 Sky Events The Planets this Month page 2 Close Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter page 7 Conjunction of Crescent Moon, Saturn & Mercury page 8 Planet Highlights page 9 Moon Phases page 12 November
More informationConstellations In ancient times, constellations only referred to the brightest stars that appeared to form groups, representing mythological figures.
Chapter 2: The Sky Constellations In ancient times, constellations only referred to the brightest stars that appeared to form groups, representing mythological figures. Constellations Today, constellations
More informationUnit 2. Cycles of the Sky
Unit 2 Cycles of the Sky The Celestial Sphere Vast distances to stars prevent us from sensing their true 3-D arrangement Naked eye observations treat all stars at the same distance, on a giant celestial
More information12.1. The Night Sky. Earth s Motions
12.1 The Night Sky LEARNING TIP Skim Section 12.1. Consider information gathered from the title, headings, figures, and words in bold. What do you expect to learn in this section? Astronomy is the branch
More informationWHAT'S UP THIS MONTH MARCH 2018
WHAT'S UP THIS MONTH MARCH 2018 THESE PAGES ARE INTENDED TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR WAY AROUND THE SKY The chart on the last page is included for printing off and use outside The chart above shows the whole
More informationdrinking straw, protractor, string, and rock. observer on Earth. Sun across the sky on March 21 as seen by an
1. The diagram below represents some constellations and one position of Earth in its orbit around the Sun. These constellations are visible to an observer on Earth at different times of the year. When
More informationAST-103L Spring 2001: Astronomical Motions I. The Night Sky
Early Greek observers viewed the sky as a transparent sphere which surrounded the Earth. They divided the stars into six categories of brightness with the brightest stars called first magnitude, the next
More informationVenus Project Book, the Galileo Project, GEAR
1 Venus Project Book, the Galileo Project, GEAR Jeffrey La Favre November, 2013 Updated March 31, 2016 You have already learned about Galileo and his telescope. Recall that he built his first telescopes
More informationThe Sky Perceptions of the Sky
The Sky Perceptions of the Sky An Observer-Centered Hemisphere Night & Day - Black & Blue - Stars & Sun Atmospheric & Astronomical Phenomena Weather, Clouds, Rainbows,... versus Sun, Moon, Stars, Planets,...
More informationClass VIII Chapter 17 Stars and the Solar System Science
Question 1: Which of the following is NOT a member of the solar system? (a) An asteroid (b) A satellite (c) A constellation (d) A comet (c) Constellation A constellation is not a member of the solar system.
More informationM3 Globular Cluster Chart 6 Canes Venatici RA 13h 42.2m Dec m. Size 18 Mag 6.3 Difficulty Medium. Equipment Requires binoculars
M3 Globular Cluster Chart 6 Canes Venatici RA 13h 42.2m Dec +28 23m Size 18 Mag 6.3 Difficulty Medium Requires binoculars Locate Arcturus the brightest star in Bootes Locate Cor Caroli the brightest star
More informationA User s Guide to the Sky
A User s Guide to the Sky Constellations Betelgeuse Rigel Stars are named by a Greek letter ( ) according to their relative brightness within a given constellation plus the possessive form of the name
More informationThe Earth and the Sky
The Earth and the Sky In this class, we want to understand why the objects in the sky as seen from the Earth - appear as they do. Even though we haven t yet discussed the details, I am assuming that there
More informationKitt Peak Nightly Observing Program
Kitt Peak Nightly Observing Program Splendors of the Universe on YOUR Night! Many pictures are links to larger versions. Click here for the Best images of the OTOP Gallery and more information. Big Dipper
More informationBrock University. Test 1, October 2016 Number of pages: 9 Course: ASTR 1P01 Number of Students: 500 Date of Examination: October 3, 2016
Brock University Test 1, October 2016 Number of pages: 9 Course: ASTR 1P01 Number of Students: 500 Date of Examination: October 3, 2016 Number of hours: 50 min Time of Examination: 17:00 17:50 Instructor:
More informationStars and Constellations
Stars and Constellations by Mary Alice Thomas Grade level 9 or Earth Science Time required Two to three 50 minute class periods Materials/Technology required Star charts for the Northern Hemisphere throughout
More information