Post on 12-Jan-2016
Chapter 2Chapter 2Discovering the Universe
for Yourself
SFA Star Charts
Star Chart 1 - Northern Region
Star Chart 2 - Equatorial Region
Star Chart 3 - Equatorial Region
Star Chart 4 - Southern Region
SFA Star Chart 1
North Star
“Big Dipper”
“Little Dipper”
“Pointer Stars”
Right Ascension
Declination
SFA Star Chart 1
“King”
“Queen”
Chart 1 Problem
Find the coordinates of Capella.
SFA Star Chart 1
Celestial Equator
Ecliptic
Vernal EquinoxAutumnal Equinox
Summer Solstice
Orion
Celestial Equator
Ecliptic
Vernal Equinox Autumnal Equinox
Winter Solstice
“Summer Triangle”
Star Chart Exercise
1. Where are the Zodiac Constellations?• Circle their names on the star charts.
2. Find the coordinates of Betelgeuse and Sirius.
3. Where is the Sun today?– Give the RA, DEC, and constellation
Astrology Connection
Where is the Sun on your Birthday?
Note: Astrological signs no longer correspond to the location of the Sun on your day of birth!
Have we been reading the wrong horoscopes all this time?
SFA Star Chart 4
The Constellation
Orion
Constellations
Constellations are recognizable patterns of stars in the sky.
There are 88 constellations. (e.g. Orion)
The 12 constellations along the ecliptic on your star chart are called the Zodiac Constellations.
Asterisms
Asterism are recognizable patterns of stars that is not one of the 88 constellations.
For Example: The Big Dipper
The Sky Dome
Celestial MeridianPolarisZenithCelestial Equator
Measuring Angles
altitude - the angle of a star above the horizon
The North Star, Polaris, is not the brightest star in the sky but remains in a fixed position in the sky.
The angle of Polaris above your horizon is the same as your latitude in degrees.
Thought Exercise
1. Where are you if Polaris is directly overhead?
2. Where are you if Polaris is on your horizon?
Write this down
View from the Equator
View from the North Pole
Circumpolar Stars are stars that never set.
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