SCIENCE LAB REPORT-$25

I have attached all of the documents needed to complete it. Please see below. Needs to be done ASAP!!!

SFA Star Chart 1 – Northern Region

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Local M
eridian for 8 PM

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1 h
0h

Nov
5

Oc
t 2

O
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S
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2
0

S
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5

A
ug 21

A
ug 6

Jul 22

Jul 6

Jun 21

Jun 6

May 22

May
6

Ap
r 2

A
pr

M
ar

2
2

M
ar
7

F
eb 20

F
eb 5

Jan 20

Jan 5

Dec 21

Dec 6

Nov 20

Vega

Thuban

Schedar

Eltanin Polaris

Phecda

Mizar

Mirfak

Mirach

Merak

Megrez

Kocab

Dubhe

Deneb

Cor Caroli

Castor

Caph

Capella

Alkaid

Rastaban

Alioth

Algol

Alderamin

Alcor

URSA
MINOR

URSA MAJOR

TRIANGULUM

PERSEUS

LYRA

LYNX

LEO MINOR

LACERTA

HERCULES

GEMINI

DRACO

CYGNUS

CEPHEUS

CASSIOPEIA

CANES VENATICI

CAMELOPARDALIS

BOOTES

AURIGA

ANDROMEDA

ANDROMEDA – Daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia
ANTLIA – Air Pumpe
APUS – Bird of Paradise
AQUILA – Eagle
AQUARIUS – Water Carrier
ARA – Altar
ARIES – Ram
AURIGA – Charioteer
BOOTES – Herdsman
CAELUM – Graving Tool
CAMELOPARDALIS – Giraffe
CAPRICORNUS – Sea Goat
CARINA – Keel of the Ship Argo
CASSIOPEIA – Ethiopian Queen on a Throne
CENTAURUS – Half horse and half man
CEPHEUS – Ethiopian King
CETUS – Whale
CHAMAELEON – Chameleon
CIRCINUS – Compasses
CANIS MAJOR – Larger Dog
CANIS MINOR – Smaller Dog
CANCER – Crab
COLUMBA – Dove
COMA BERENICES – Berenice’s Hair
CORONA AUSTRALIS – Southern Crown
CORONA BOREALIS – Northern Crown
CRATER – Cup
CRUX – Cross
CORVUS – Crow
CANES VENATICI – Hunting Dogs
CYGNUS – Swan
DELPHINUS – Dolphin
DORADO – Goldfish
DRACO – Dragon
EQUULEUS – Little Horse
ERIDANUS – River
FORNAX – Furnace
GEMINI – Twins
GRUS – Crane
HERCULES – Hero
HOROLOGIUM – Clock
HYDRA – Sea Serpent
HYDRUS – Water Snake
INDUS – Indian

SFA Star Chart 2 – Equatorial Region

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Local

Meridian

for 8 PM

π6

π2

ο2

Pleiades

Mar 21

Mar 31

Apr 10

Apr 20

May 1

May 11

May 21

Jun 1
Jun 11

Jun 22
Jul 2

Jul 12

Jul 23

Aug 2

Aug
12

Aug
23

Sep
2

Sep
13

Sep
23

10º

20º

30º
40º
50º
60º

70º
80º90º100º

110º

120º

130º

140º

160º

170
º

May 22 May 6 Apr 21 Apr 6 Mar 22 Mar 7 Feb 20 Feb 5 Jan 20 Jan 5 Dec 21 Dec 6 Nov 20

CAMELOPARDALIS
URSA MAJOR

PISCES

PERSEUS

ERIDANUS

PHOENIX

FORNAX

CETUS

SCULPTOR

CAELUM

HOROLOGIUM

AURIGA

TAURUS

ANDROMEDA

DORADO

PICTOR

CASSIOPEIA

CARINA

COLUMBA

PUPPIS

HYDRA

ANTLIA

CRATER

VELA

VIRGO

LYNX
LEO MINOR

LEO
ARIES

TRIANGULUM

PYXIS

SEXTANS

LEPUS

MONOCERUS

CANIS MAJOR

CANIS MINOR

CANCER GEMINI

ORION

Phecda
Merak
Algol
Mirfak

Algenib

Zaurak

Cursa

Achernar

Baten

Mekab

Diphda

Mira

Capella

Alnath

Aldebaran

Alpheratz

Mirach
Schedar

Canopus

Phakt

Zosma

Denebola
Regulus

Hamal

Arneb

Sirius

Procyon

Castor

Pollux

Saiph

BellatrixBetelgeuse

Rigel

12h 11h 10h 9h 8h 7h 6h 5h 4h 3h 2h 1h 0h

-60º

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Right Ascension

D
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lin
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SFA Star Chart 3 – Equatorial Region

MICROSCOPIUM

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CIRCINUS

24h 12
h

13h14h15h16h17h18h19h20h21h22h23h

Nov 20 Nov 5 Oct 21 Oct 6 Sep 20 Sep 5 Aug 21 Aug 6 Jul 22 Jul 6 Jun 21 Jun 6 May 22

Mar 21

Mar 11

Mar 1

Feb 19

Feb 9

Jan 30

Jan 20
Jan 10

Dec 31 Dec 22 Dec 12
Dec 2

Nov 22
Nov 1

Nov
2

Oct
23

Oct
13

Oct
3

Sep
23

350º

340º

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320º

310º

300º
290º

280º 270º 260º
250º

240º

230º

220º

210º

200º

190
º

180
º

Vega

Spica

Mizar

Markab

Fomalhaut

Deneb
Cor Caroli
Alkaid

Arcturus

Antares

Altair

CORONA BOREALIS

Alioth
Alcor

Albireo

CRUX

TUCANA

CEPHEUS
PISCES
SCULPTOR
PHOENIX
HYDRA

CENTAURUS

ANDROMEDA

VULPECULA

VIRGO

TELESCOPIUM

SAGITTARIUS

SAGITTA

SERPENS

SCUTUM

SCORPIUS

PISCES AUSTRINUS

PEGASUS

PAVO

OPHIUCHUS

NORMA

LYRA

LUPUS

LIBRA

LACERTA

INDUS

HERCULES

GRUS

EQUULEUS

DRACO

DELPHINUS

CYGNUS
CANES VENATICI

CORVUS

CORONA AUSTRALIS

COMA BERENICES

CAPRICORNUS

BOOTES

ARA

AQUARIUS

AQUILA

60º
50º
40º
30º
20º
10º
0º
-10º
-20º
-30º
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-50º

-60º-60º

-50º
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-30º
-20º
-10º
0º
10º
20º
30º
40º
50º
60º
Right Ascension
D
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Local Meridian for 8 PM

SFA Star Chart 4 – Southern Region

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δγ
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-30º
-40º
-50º
-60º

-70º

-80º

-70º
-60º
-50º
-40º
-30º

-3
0º

-4
0º

-5
0º

-6
0º

-7
0º

-8
0º

-8
0º
-7
0º
-6
0º

-5
0º -3
0º

Local M
eridian for 8 PM

23 h

22 h

21 h

20 h

19
h
18
h
17
h

16
h

15
h

14
h

13
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12h
11 h

10 h

9 h

8 h

7
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6
h

5
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4
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3
h

2
h

1
h

0h Nov 5

Oct 21

O
ct 6

Sep 20

S
ep 5

A
ug 21

A
ug

J
ul

2
2

Ju
l 6

Ju
n 2

1
Jun 6
May 22

May 6

Apr 21

A
pr 6

M
ar 22

M
ar 7

F
eb

2
0
F
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5

J
an

2
0

Ja
n

De
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Dec
6

Nov 20
SCULPTOR
SCORPIUS
PISCES AUSTRINUS
HYDRA
FORNAX

Rigil Kentaurus

Mimosa

Hadar

Canopus

Acrux

Achernar

VOLANS

VELA
TUCANA

TRIANGULUM AUSTRALIS

TELESCOPIUM
SAGITTARIUS

RETICULUM

PYXIS
PUPPIS
PICTOR
PHOENIX
PAVO

OCTANS

NORMA

MUSCA

MICROSCOPIUM

MENSA

LUPUS
INDUS

HYDRUS

HOROLOGIUM
GRUS
ERIDANUS
DORADO
CRUX

CORONA
AUSTRALIS

COLUMBA
CIRCINUS

CHAMAELEON

CENTAURUS
CARINA
CAELUM

ARA
APUS

ANTLIA

LACERTA – Lizard
LEO – Lion
LEPUS – Hare
LIBRA – Scales
LEO MINOR – Smaller Lion
LUPUS – Wolf
LYNX – Wildcat
LYRA – Harp
MENSA – Table Mountain
MICROSCOPIUM – Microscope
MONOCERUS – Unicorn
MUSCA – Fly
NORMA – Carpenter`s Square
OCTANS – Octant, Navigational Instrument
OPHIUCHUS – Serpent Holder
ORION – The Hunter
PAVO – Peacock
PEGASUS – Winged Horse
PERSEUS – Hero
PHOENIX – Mythical Bird
PICTOR – Easel
PISCES AUSTRINUS – Southern Fish
PISCES – Fish
PUPPIS – Stern of the Ship Argo
PYXIS – Mariner’s Compass
RETICULUM – Net
SCULPTOR – Sculptor’s Apparatus
SCORPIUS – Scorpion
SCUTUM – Shield
SERPENS – Serpent
SEXTANS – Sextant, Navigational Instrument
SAGITTA – Arrow
SAGITTARIUS – Archer
TAURUS – Bull
TELESCOPIUM – Telescope
TRIANGULUM AUSTRALIS – Southern Triangle
TRIANGULUM – Triangle
TUCANA – Toucan
URSA MAJOR – Great Bear
URSA MINOR – Little Bear
VELA – Sails of the Ship Argo
VIRGO – Virgin
VOLANS – Flying Fish
VULPECULA – Fox

Using the SFA Star Charts

The charts provided cover the entire celestial sphere. You will notice that there are regions
were the charts overlap. For example, Perseus can be found on both Chart 1 and Chart 2.

The procedures outlined on the next page are for observers in the northern hemisphere.
Chart 4 is not needed for these observers.

Right Ascension and Declination
The coordinates of stars and other objects on the celestial sphere are called right ascension
and declination. These coordinates are similar to those used on Earth: longitude and latitude. Right
ascension is measured in hours, declination is measured in degrees. You may notice that 24 hours
of right ascension corresponds to 360 degrees, or simply that 1 hour of right ascension is 15
degrees.

Chart 1
Celestial North

Pole Region

Chart 3
Celestial Equator and

Ecliptic Region

Chart 2
Celestial Equator and

Ecliptic Region

Chart 4
Celestial South

Pole Region

Procedure for using Chart 1:
(1) Face North.
(2) Find the meridian in the sky and on the Chart 1 using the date and time.

(3) Find the field of view on the Chart 1 and compare the stars seen on the chart with
those in the sky.

The meridian in the sky is an imaginary curve that passes through the north horizon, the north
star, the point directly overhead (zenith), and the south horizon as shown below. Note that Polaris is
not the brightest star in the sky. You can use Dubhe and Merak of Ursa Major as pointer stars to
help you find Polaris.
The meridian on Chart 1 can be located using the date and time. The dates along outer edge
of the Chart 1 represent the location of the meridian. If Chart 1 is oriented so that the date appears a
the top, then a line passing through the date and Polaris is the meridian at 8:00pm local time. For
every hour after 8:00pm the meridian moves to the clockwise by one hour of right ascension.
The field of view on the Chart 1 includes roughly all objects above the north horizon line. The
north horizon line is a line perpendicular to the meridian on Chart 1 and intersects the meridian at a
point 32° below Polaris. (Replace 32° with your latitude if you are not observing from the SFA
Observatory.)

Procedure for using Charts 2 and 3:
(1) Face South. Place Charts 2 and 3 side by side.
(2) Find the meridian in the sky and on Chart 2 or 3 using the date and time.

(3) Find the field of view on the Charts 2 and 3 and compare the stars seen on the
chart with those in the sky.

The meridian on Charts 2 and 3 can be located using the date and time. The dates along the
top axis of these charts represent the location of the meridian (a vertical line) at 8:00pm local time.
For every hour after 8:00pm the meridian moves to the left by one hour of right ascension.
The field of view on these charts includes roughly all objects between a vertical line 6 hours of
right ascension to the west (right) of the meridian and a vertical line 6 hours of right ascension to the
east (left) of the meridian. These two vertical lines roughly represent the west and east horizon
respectively.
The “sine” curve seen when these two charts are placed side by side is known as the ecliptic
and represents the apparent path of the Sun. The dates along the ecliptic give the location of the
Sun on the celestial sphere for the date of interest.

Dan Bruton, SFA Observatory, http://www.physics.sfasu.edu/astro/SFAStarCharts.html

N
S

Zenith

Polaris, the North Star

Meridian

Fa10

Motions in the Night Sky and the Celestial Sphere

Section I: Motions in the Night Sky

Description:

The celestial sphere is a scientific model of the universe. It is not representative of the entire universe, rather it mimics the motions of objects in the night (and daytime) sky. The celestial sphere model cannot be used to accurately explain the motions of objects in the sky, since it is not an entirely accurate representation of the physical universe. A planetarium or planetarium software (like Starry Night Pro, or the World Wide Telescope) also constitute scientific models of the universe that are not entirely accurate representations of the physical universe in the same way a celestial sphere is not an entirely accurate representation of the physical universe.

This exercise incorporates real student observations and a representation (model) of the universe (a celestial sphere, a planetarium or planetarium software) and examines the usefulness of these models while identifying the model’s shortcomings.

Introduction:

A scientific model is one that is based on scientific observations and represents a physical system that accurately reflects at least one aspect of the physical system. For example a scientific model of the solar system may include an accurate representation of the planets’ sizes relative to one another, but not their distances from one another. Such a model would still be considered a scientific model. Several scientific models have been developed that mimic, with some accuracy, the motions of objects in the sky. In this exercise, you will observe the motions of the stars in your night sky and compare your observations to one of the several models astronomers have developed to mimic these motions. Then, you will critically analyze the usefulness of the model to which you compared your observations.

First, you will make some observations. You already know that the Sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening, bringing on night. At night we can observe stars, the Moon and some planets without the aid of a telescope or binoculars. You will need to find a location that is dark enough so that you can see at least 10 stars. It would be best if the stars you can see are in a memorable pattern or part of a constellation, but depending on your proximity to a large city you may or may not be able to find a spot where you can see the Big Dipper, for example.

Part I: Observations of the Night Sky

1. Before you make any observations, write down a prediction: Considering that the Sun and Moon both rise and set, predict what the motions of the stars you observe will be. Try to be as complete as you can with your prediction. Identify the direction of the motion you predict as well as the rate of motion.

2. Make and record an observation of the night sky. If you are in the northern hemisphere, face any direction but north. Observe the night sky and make a drawing representing what you observe. Include some of your horizon as well as at least ten stars or patterns or other celestial objects you see in the night sky. It’s not important that you can identify the constellations or stars, but you can try to do that if you want to. Note the time of your observation and include cardinal directions (North, South, East or West) on your drawing.

3. Make and record a second observation of the night sky. Once you have finished your drawing of your first observation., stop and do something else. Come back to the same location, facing the same direction after about 1 hour and make a new drawing of what you see. Try to find at least some of the same stars or patterns as before. Again, be sure to include some of your horizon as well as the stars and other celestial objects you see in the night sky. Note the time of your observation and include cardinal directions (North, South, East or West) on your drawing. (It is not necessary, but you could continue to make observations one hour apart for as long as you are able to get more accurate data.)

4. Compare the two observations you made. Knowing the time between the observations, compare the two and determine whether you observed motion. Then determine the direction and rate of the motion you observed. (About how far did the stars move and in what general direction?) To determine whether you’ve analyzed your data sufficiently, determine the time it would take for a star you observed to set (disappear beyond the horizon).

Part II: Using an Astronomical Model

5. Use an astronomical model to check your observations. Set up a celestial sphere, planetarium or planetarium software to show the night sky at the time and day that you made your first observation. Now you can check to determine what objects you saw. Identify at least 10 objects (stars or planets or other celestial objects) from your drawing using the model you chose. Determine the time it would take for a star you observed to set (disappear beyond the horizon).

a. Celestial Sphere. Using a celestial sphere, you will need to move the Sun to the correct position for the day that you made your observation, then rotate the sphere to the time that you made your observation. You can then check your observation by fixing the horizon to match your latitude. On the sphere, larger dots are brighter stars. You will not be able to identify planets or the Moon with this tool.

b. Planetarium. The planetarium can be set to mimic exactly the time and day that your observation was made. The horizon in the planetarium will be more extensive than what you observed. Brighter objects will appear larger in the planetarium “sky”. Most planetaria include constellation outlines and a “moon”. You may need to use a star chart to determine the names of the stars you observed.

c. Planetarium Software. Starry Night ProTM, World Wide TelescopeTM and Sky GazerTM all have the capability of being set up to show the night sky at any time and for any location on Earth. Also, each of these will label constellations and allow the user to determine the names of any objects, including galaxies, nebulae, planets and stars.

6. Compare your observations to your prediction. Answer the following questions regarding your observations and prediction. Each answer should be at least a few sentences, not just a single word or sentence. Try to give as complete an answer as possible.

a. Did the stars move as you expected? (If you did not expect them to move, rephrase this question to read: Did the stars stay stationary as you expected?) If the answer is no, describe in detail how the motion of the stars differed from your prediction.

b. Compare the motions of the stars that you observed to the motion of the Sun. Use the planetarium software, the celestial sphere, or a planetarium to simulate the motion of the Sun.

c. Describe, in detail, using only your observations and the model you have (celestial sphere, planetarium or planetarium software) the reason for the apparent motions of the stars across the sky. It is not important that this answer is scientifically correct. It is more important that you base your explanation on the model you are using and the observations you made. (Are the stars moving around Earth, or is Earth’s motion causing the stars to appear to move? What does the model you are using make it seem like and why?)

d. Describe, in detail, using resources in your textbook, in the library or on the internet, the reason for the apparent motion of the Sun across the sky. For this response, be sure to cite the resources you use. This answer should be a scientifically correct explanation for the apparent motion of the Sun across the sky. Check with your instructor to make sure you have the correct scientific explanation before you proceed to the next question. Would this reason explain the star motions you observed?

Part III: Evaluation and Final Product

. Evaluate the model by answering the questions below.

a. Compare the model you have (celestial sphere, planetarium or planetarium software) to the correct scientific explanation. Does the model demonstrate a correct explanation for the motions of the Sun and stars?

b. Evaluate the usefulness of the model for demonstrating the motions of objects in the sky. Does the model replicate the motions accurately? Is the model easy to use?

c. Evaluate the usefulness of the model for explaining the reasons for the apparent motions of objects in the sky. Does the model create any misconceptions about the motions of objects in the sky?

OPTIONAL Step 8. Your final product should be a paper that describes the experiment (what you set out to understand and how you set out to understand it), the hypothesis (your prediction), the data collection (how you made your observations), the data (your observations), the analysis (how you compared your data to a model and your answers to questions 6a-d), and your conclusions (your answers to the questions posed in step 7).

Section II: Celestial Sphere

Objective: Last semester (Phys 1411) we familiarized ourselves with star charts and how to use them to find objects relative to others, such as how to find a planet relative to the stars and constellations. This is due to the fact that many solar system objects do not require use of coordinates to find, nor do they require the use of a telescope to observe. We also noted the motions of the nighttime sky.

This semester we are studying objects that are much smaller, many of them requiring the use of a telescope to observe. Thus, we will find it necessary to understand more deeply how to use and read star charts, and how to use and read coordinates.

Background

Finding the stars in the nighttime sky is very similar to finding a location on Earth: both use a coordinate system of some sort. In both cases there is more than one system that can be used, though there is one which is predominately preferred.

Earth

On Earth, the preferred coordinate system uses latitude and longitude. This system uses the Earth’s equator, 0° latitude, as the base line for one coordinate and the Prime Meridian, 0° longitude which runs through Greenwich, England, for the other. Lines of latitude form circles around the globe, decreasing in size as they near one of the two poles. They are described as North or South of the equator, and range in measurement from 0° at the equator to90° at the poles. Both of Earth’s axial poles correspond to both of the celestial poles.

Lines of longitude originate at one pole and spread-out as they near the equator where they reach the maximum distance between the lines. As the lines continue past the equator, the distance between them begins to shrink until they all converge at the opposite pole. They are described as East or West of the Prime Meridian (where the meeting of East and West on the opposite side of the globe occurs at the International Date Line). Lines of longitude range from 0° at the Prime Meridian to 180° which is generally the International Date Line. (Technically, the IDL wiggles back and forth for political reasons, not always following the 180° parallel, or line of longitude.)

Heavens

In the nighttime sky, many of the same ideas and terms are used, though they may not be defined the exact same way. The celestial equator is the Earth’s equator “broadcast” onto the nighttime sky. Thus, an observer from space would notice that the celestial equator and Earth’s equator “line-up,” or lay one on top of the other. Lines of declination are very similar to the lines of latitude on Earth; the celestial equator is the base line with lines of declination forming circles which decrease in size as they near a pole. They, too, are measured from 0° at the celestial equator to 90° at the poles. However, in space “north” and “south” have no meaning, so lines of declination are described as “+” or “-” where “+” would be similar to “north” on Earth (towards the North Celestial Pole) and “-” would be in the direction towards the South Celestial Pole. Declination is measured in degrees. Each degree is subdivided into 60 minutes (or 60’), and each minute is subdivided into 60 seconds (or 60”). The abbreviation for declination is dec. and the symbol for declination is  (lower-case delta).

Lines of right ascension are similar to the lights of longitude on Earth. Right ascension lines start at one celestial pole and spread-out as they near the celestial equator, where they reach maximum distance between the lines. However, the Earth’s Prime Meridian does not correlate with the vernal equinox. The base line for right ascension is the vernal equinox; an event that occurs on or near March 21st every year. This is where the ecliptic crosses the celestial equator. However, unlike longitude, right ascension is measured in hours, minutes, and seconds. Whereas there are 360° of longitude lines, there are only 24 hours of right ascension. And whereas longitude is described as East or West, right ascension is in “military time,” meaning there is no directional description. The abbreviation for right ascension is RA and its symbol is  (lower-case alpha).

Star chart basics

Because a star map cannot make the ink darker as a way to describe how bright an object is, they will make the dot larger. Often, the Bayer designation is listed next to the stars. While the brighter stars have names, such as Sirius, most stars do not. Johann Bayer in 1603 suggested a naming method that would give a name to many more stars. He started with the Greek letters, , and placed them in the front followed by the genitive of the Latin name for the constellation region the star was found in. Usually, the letters closer to the beginning of the Greek alphabet were used for the brighter stars for each constellation. For example, Sirius is the brightest star in Canis Major. Thus, its Bayer designation is  CMa. Sometimes a two-digit number may be found next to the object. This is its magnitude. Remember, the brighter the object, the small or more negative the number. Often objects are described by a shape on a star map. For example, galaxies are often ovals. Each map will have a legend, or key, for the shapes used and for how the size of the dot corresponds to the magnitude. (Star charts ONLY use apparent magnitude, NEVER absolute magnitude.) Remember, the cardinal directions East and West are always backwards on a star map. This is because the map is intended to be used over one’s head, not on a tabletop. Once the map is placed over one’s head, we notice that all four cardinal directions line up correctly. Another item to look for on a map is the time the map is intended to be used. Some maps require a simple calculation to determine the local solar time. Many maps, however, are set for some civilian time. Another feature found on many maps is the location of the ecliptic. This is where one will look to find the Sun, Moon, and planets. It is also where the zodiacal constellations are found.

Part IV: Exercises

Directions: Use the star charts passed out in class, a pencil, and an erasure to answer the following questions.

8. The Earth coordinates for Dallas, Texas are approximately 32° 47’ and 96° 48’. How far above my northern horizon should I expect to find Polaris? ______________________________

9. What would I expect the radius (in degrees) of my circumpolar region be for Dallas, Texas?

______________________________________________________________________________

10. Sketch an outline of your circumpolar region on Chart 1. Then list the 6 constellations that are located within the circumpolar region for Dallas, Texas.

____________________________________
______________________________________

____________________________________
______________________________________
____________________________________
______________________________________

11. How many degrees exist between a pole and the celestial equator? _____________________

12. How many degrees above my southern horizon is the celestial equator?__________________

13. How high above the northern horizon is my zenith from Dallas, Texas? _________________

14. What is the declination of my zenith point, as viewed from Dallas, Texas? _______________

15. How many hours are in one day? ________________________________________________

16. How many hours of sky can I see any time I view the nighttime sky? ___________________

17. How many hours exist between the meridian and the eastern horizon? __________________

18. What is the RA of tonight’s meridian? ___________________________________________

19. What is today’s date? _________________________________________________________

20. What constellation is the Sun in today? ___________________________________________

21. When is your birthday? (month and day only) _____________________________________

22. What constellation is the Sun in on your birthday? __________________________________

23. Between what dates will Orion be on the meridian at 8pm local time?

______________________________________________________________________________

24. What star is located at 6 hrs 44 mins right ascension and -16.7° declination? _____________

25. What star is located at 5 hrs 14 mins right ascension and +46.0° declination? _____________

26. What star is located at 5 hrs 13 mins right ascension and -8.2° declination? ______________

27. What star is located at 13 hrs 23 mins right ascension and 55.1° declination? _____________

28. What star is located at 16 hrs 28 mins right ascension and -26.4° declination? ____________

29. What are the coordinates for the star Castor in the constellation Gemini?




30. What are the coordinates for the star Dubhe in the constellation Ursa Major?

31. What are the coordinates for the star Deneb in the constellation Cygnus?

32. What are the coordinates for the star Fomalhaut in the constellation Piscis Austrinus?

33. What are the coordinates for the star Mimosa in the constellation Crux?

34. What is the declination for the vernal equinox?
____________________________________

35. What is the declination for the autumnal equinox? __________________________________

36. What time (on the clock) are the maps made for? ___________________________________

The diagram below is to help students who are more visual “to see” the geometry of the horizon (horizontal circle or oval), the North Celestial Pole (arrow pointing up and to the right), and the Celestial Equator (the semi-circle or semi-oval going up and to the left). It does not require a response.

PAGE

Sp11
Name: ________________________________

Lab Report for Lab #1: Motions in the Night Sky and the Celestial Sphere

Part I: Observations of the Night Sky

1. Before you make any observations, write down a prediction: Considering that the Sun and Moon both rise and set, predict what the motions of the stars you observe will be.

[Type answer here]

2. Make and record an observation of the night sky.
[Drawings are observations and used by the student to answer questions. Nothing to “report” for this question.]

3. Make and record a second observation of the night sky. [Drawings are observations and used by the student to answer questions. Nothing to “report” for this question.]

4. Compare the two observations you made.

a. Knowing the time between the observations, compare the two and determine whether you observed motion.

[Type answer here]

b. Then determine the direction and rate of the motion you observed. (About how far did the stars move and in what general direction?)

[Type answer here]

c. To determine whether you’ve analyzed your data sufficiently, determine the time it would take for a star you observed to set (disappear beyond the horizon).

[Type answer here]

Part II: Using an Astronomical Model

5. Use an astronomical model to check your observations.

a. Now you can check to determine what objects you saw. Identify at least 10 objects (stars or planets or other celestial objects) from your drawing using the model you chose.

[Type answer here]

b. Determine the time it would take for a star you observed to set (disappear beyond the horizon).

[Type answer here]

6. Compare your observations to your prediction. Answer the following questions regarding your observations and prediction. Each answer should be at least a few sentences, not just a single word or sentence. Try to give as complete an answer as possible.

a. Did the stars move as you expected? (If you did not expect them to move, rephrase this question to read: Did the stars stay stationary as you expected?) If the answer is no, describe in detail how the motion of the stars differed from your prediction.

[Type answer here]

b. Compare the motions of the stars that you observed to the motion of the Sun. Use the planetarium software, the celestial sphere, or a planetarium to simulate the motion of the Sun.

[Type answer here]

c. Describe, in detail, using only your observations and the model you have (celestial sphere, planetarium or planetarium software) the reason for the apparent motions of the stars across the sky. It is not important that this answer is scientifically correct. It is more important that you base your explanation on the model you are using and the observations you made. (1. Are the stars moving around Earth, or is Earth’s motion causing the stars to appear to move? 2. What does the model you are using make it seem like and 3. why?)

[Type answer here]

d. Describe, in detail, using resources in your textbook, in the library or on the internet, the reason for the apparent motion of the Sun across the sky. For this response, be sure to cite the resources you use. This answer should be a scientifically correct explanation for the apparent motion of the Sun across the sky. Check with your instructor to make sure you have the correct scientific explanation before you proceed to the next question. Would this reason explain the star motions you observed?

[Type answer here]

Part III: Evaluation and Final Product of Observations

7. Evaluate the model by answering the questions below.

a. Compare the model you have (celestial sphere, planetarium or planetarium software) to the correct scientific explanation. Does the model demonstrate a correct explanation for the motions of the Sun and stars?

[Type answer here]

b. Evaluate the usefulness of the model for demonstrating the motions of objects in the sky.

1. Does the model replicate the motions accurately?

[Type answer here]

2. Is the model easy to use?

[Type answer here]

c. Evaluate the usefulness of the model for explaining the reasons for the apparent motions of objects in the sky. Does the model create any misconceptions about the motions of objects in the sky?

[Type answer here]

OPTIONAL Step 8. Your final product should be a paper that describes the experiment (what you set out to understand and how you set out to understand it), the hypothesis (your prediction), the data collection (how you made your observations), the data (your observations), the analysis (how you compared your data to a model and your answers to questions 6a-d), and your conclusions (your answers to the questions posed in step 7).

Part IV: Celestial Sphere

Directions: Use the star charts posted on eCampus to answer the following questions.

8. The Earth coordinates for Dallas, Texas are approximately 32° 47’ (latitude) and 96° 48’ (longitude). How far above my northern horizon should I expect to find Polaris?

[Type answer here]

9. What would I expect the radius (in degrees) of my circumpolar region be for Dallas, Texas?

[Type answer here]

10. Sketch an outline of your circumpolar region on Chart 1. Then list the 6 constellations that are located within the circumpolar region for Dallas, Texas.

[Type answer here]

11. How many degrees exist between a pole and the celestial equator?

[Type answer here]

12. How many degrees above my southern horizon is the celestial equator?

[Type answer here]

13. How high above the northern horizon is my zenith from Dallas, Texas?

[Type answer here]

14. What is the declination of my zenith point, as viewed from Dallas, Texas?

[Type answer here]

15. How many hours on a clock are in one day?

[Type answer here]

16. How many hours of sky can I see any time I view the nighttime sky?

[Type answer here]

17. How many hours exist between the meridian and the eastern horizon?

[Type answer here]

18. What is the RA of February 21st’s meridian?

[Type answer here]

19. What is today’s date?

[Type answer here]

20. What constellation is the Sun in today?

[Type answer here]

21. When is your birthday? (month and day only)

[Type answer here]

22. What constellation is the Sun in on your birthday based upon the star charts?

[Type answer here]

23. Between what dates will Orion be on the meridian at 8pm local time?

[Type answer here]

24. What star is located at 6 hrs 44 mins right ascension and -16.7° declination?

[Type answer here]

25. What star is located at 5 hrs 14 mins right ascension and +46.0° declination?

[Type answer here]

26. What star is located at 5 hrs 13 mins right ascension and -8.2° declination?

[Type answer here]

27. What star is located at 13 hrs 23 mins right ascension and 55.1° declination?

[Type answer here]

28. What star is located at 16 hrs 28 mins right ascension and -26.4° declination?

[Type answer here]

29. What are the coordinates for the star Castor in the constellation Gemini?