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

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0608/sky_ctio_big.jpg

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.

WEB