lab 1: star maps and constellations - clifford.org · printed: jan/07/2015 star maps and...

Printed: Jan/07/2015 Star Maps and Constellations Activities Page SC- 1

Practical Astronomy Jun2014, W. Pezzaglia Fall 2014

NAME_______________ Email__________________ Group_____________

NAME_______________ Email__________________ Date______________

NAME_______________ Email__________________ DueDate _____________

Grade____________

Lab 1: Star Maps and Constellations



NAME_______________ NAME__________________ __________________

NAME_______________ NAME__________________ __________________

Part A: Star Map Coordinate Activities

1. Consider the imaginary constellation “Pezaglis” which has the 4 stars shown the table to the right. Stars of Pezaglis ======================= (a) Plot these points on the Mercator Map Name Dec RA _______________________ (b) Connect the stars with lines, in order given alpha 40° 23h including a line from delta back to alpha. beta 40° 1h gamma 70° 1h delta 70° 23h (c) Label the stars with the correct Greek symbol ======================= [Hint: lookup Greek letter table in handouts] (d) Plot these same points on the Polar Map, again connect the stars.

(e) Now, use a “Celestial Sphere” to see what shape it would be in the sky.

2. Discussion: You will probably find that the “shape” of the constellation is different on the two maps. Briefly, which map do you thin more closely represents how it would appear in the sky (equivalently on a celestial sphere) to you eye? Explain your reasoning.



3. Consider two more stars: epsilon at (70°, 4h) and zeta at (70°, 16h).

(a) Plot them on the Mercator Map. Label with correct Greek symbols.

(b) Using a ruler, connect them with a straight line (i.e. the shortest path).

(c) How many degrees apart are they (on the Mercator Map)? ___________________

[Hint: 1 hour is equivalent to 15°]

(d) Explain how you arrived at your answer to part (c)

4. Plot these same stars on the Polar Map.

(a) Using a ruler, connect them with a straight line. Label with correct Greek symbols

(b) How many degrees apart are they (on the Polar Map)? ___________________

(c) Explain how you arrived at your answer to part (b).

5. Discussion: Are the distances you measured on the two maps the same? Which map probably represents what you would see in the sky? Again, use a “Celestial Sphere” to resolve any interpretation issue of the correct “line” to draw between the two stars. [Are the lines you drew on the two maps representing the same thing?]



POLAR MAP



MERCATOR MAP



Part B: Polar to Mercator 1. Find the Constellations Below is a Mercator map projection of the sky (as opposed to your Starwheel, which is a polar projection). Your task it to translate information from the polar map to the Mercator map below.

(a) Label North, South, East and West (b) Label the axis of declination, and fill in the degrees (remember the minus numbers!) (c) Label the axis of Right Ascension, and fill in the scale with the correct “hours”. (d) Label the celestial equator, if it exists on the map (e) Label the celestial north and south poles if they exist on the map. (f) Label each constellation (ALL of them!) (g) Label at least one star in each constellation if you can (all the ones on your starwheel).

SAMPLE

Use the BIGGER MAP IS ON THE NEXT PAGE



Insert Bigger Map



North Polar Map



South Polar Map



Part C: Computer Program Run the “Starry Night” program on the computer (version 4 or 5 or 6 ?) Set the “Home” location for nearest city (San Jose) Set the “date” for today Set the “time” for early evening, when it is dark (during lab time).

1. Setup:

(a) Computer program used (include version) ________________________________

(b) Date & Time you are using __________________________________________

2. The Moon: Bring up the information window on it and determine the following:

(a) Is the moon visible tonight during lab time? _________________________________

(b) What constellation is the moon in? ___________________

(c) What % of the moon is illuminated? ___________________ %

(d) What is the “phase” of the moon? _____________________

3. Find Planets (Winter 2015) For planets listed below determine the following:

Constellation that they are in

Time of event (rise or set as indicated in table)

Magnitude (apparent)

Size (in either arcmin or arcseconds)

Planet Constellation Event Time Magnitude Size (arcsec)

Jupiter Transit

Saturn Rise

Uranus Set

Comet Lovejoy

C/2014 Q2 (Eridanus)

Set



Part D: Find the Constellations (a) Sketch in the constellations (b) Label constellations (c) Label the major stars

00h 20h 21h 22h 23h

+0

0°

+1

0°

+2

0°+3

0°

+4

0°+5

0°

TheSky (c) Astronomy Software 1984-1998

00h 23h 22h 21h 20h



Part E: Outdoor Star Map Activities (if clear) 1. Zenith Observation:

(a) What time are you observing? (PDT or PST?) ___________________

(b) What constellation is near Zenith? (i.e. overhead) ___________________

2. Limiting Magnitude:

Consult the reference map with magnitudes of stars in order to do the following.

From your own observations (at this less-than-ideal observing location):

(a) What is the faintest magnitude star you can see with direct vision? _______________

(b) What is the faintest magnitude star you can see with averted vision? _______________

(c) Summarize your method in determining this (what constellation did you use for reference?)



Part F Object Observations Name ____________________

Group#_____________ Date___________ Name ____________________

Telescope Name=____________ Aperture=_____________ Focal length=________

Observational of ____________ Observational of ____________

Notes: Notes:

Eyepiece Focal Length ___________ Eyepiece Focal Length __________ Magnification Power: ___________ Magnification Power: __________

Observation of ____________ Observational of ____________ Notes: Notes:

Eyepiece Focal Length ___________ Eyepiece Focal Length __________ Magnification Power: ___________ Magnification Power: __________

lab 1: star maps and constellations - clifford.org · printed: jan/07/2015 star maps and...

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