LAB 02Astronomy 105 Laboratory

CLICKER REGISTRATION

LAB 02 QUIZ

How many significant figures?2200.01

1. one2. two3. three4. four5. five6. six7. seven

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36.01 × 1.5 × 4.44 × 43 = ?How many significant figures in the answer? 1. one2. two3. three4. four5. five6. six7. seven

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Problem: (4.0 × 102) (3.0 × 104)

Answer in Standard Scientific Notation1. 12 X 108

2. 12 X 106

3. 1.2 X 106

4. 1.2 X 107

5. 7.0 X 106

6. 7.0 X 107

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In today’s lab we will learn to find our way around the sky using

1. the Flamsteed Catalogue.2. a telescope.3. a star chart.4. the Greek Alphabet.

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The ______ is the apparent path of the sun through the sky.

1. ecliptic2. meridian3. celestial equator4. zenith

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CONSTELLATIONS – SKY FAMILIARIZATION

Lab 02

NCP

SCP

CE

NorthSouth

West

East

Zenith

32o

The Celestial Sphere

As seen from Nacogdoches

32o

MeridianEqual to your latitude

Sky Familiarization

Stars and Constellations Visible Depends on:

1. Time of Day – Earth’s Rotation2. Calendar Date – Earth’s revolution about

the sun

Sky Familiarization

Objectives: Using the SC-1 star chart, for a given date and time

Locate the meridian, zenith, and the due east and west points on the horizon

Identify stars and constellations visible

North

South

Celestial Equator

Ecliptic Sun’s Path

East

Summer Solstice

Vernal (spring) Equinox

Autumnal (fall)

Equinox

South

East

NorthW

estAutumnor (fall)

Equinox

Winter Solstice

Vernal (spring) Equinox

North

South

Celestial Equator

Ecliptic Sun’s Path

East

Bright Stars

Constellation

Star Names

Fainter Stars

Deep Sky Objects

Declination (degrees)

Right Ascension (hours)

Celestial Prime Meridian

Greek Letters

Summer Solstice

Vernal Equinox

Autumnal Equinox

North

South

East

RA = 6h 45m DEC = -17°

Find the position of the star Sirius

Celestial Prime Meridian

North

South

East

April 21 @ 8:00 p.m.

Meridian

Zenith

32° (your latitude) Due West on Horizon

April 21 @ 8:00 p.m.

Due East Point Horizon

April 21 @ 8:00 p.m.

West

Meridian

Approximate part of the sky not visible at 8:00 p.m.

WestEast

zenith

East

North

South

East

April 21 @ 8:00 p.m.

Meridian

Zenith

Due West on Horizon

North

South

East

April 21 @ 9:00 p.m.

Meridian

Zenith

Due West on Horizon

North

South

East

April 21 @ 10:00 p.m.

Meridian

Zenith

Due West on Horizon

NorthEa

stJanuary 10 @ 8:00 p.m.

5 days X 4 min/day = 20 minJanuary 10 @ 8 pm

January 5 @ 8 pm

Stars cross the meridian 4 min. earlier each day due to the Earth’s revolution.

Sky Familiarization

A Few Things to Remember Any vertical line on your SC-1 (north-south) is a

meridian. Approximately one half of the stars on the SC-1 are

visible at any given time (12 hours of RA). The Earth’s Rotation

Stars, the sun, moon, and planets rise and set each day The Earth’s Revolution about the Sun

Seasonal Stars and Constellations

Lab Exercise Classroom

Using the SC-1 Star Chart for March 22@ 8 pm Complete the “Classroom Activity” on page 13

(Use a ruler! Lines should be neat and accurately placed. Print your name on the star chart.)

Planetarium Planetarium demonstration with the sky set for today's date. The TA will reset the sky to the date specified in the

“Classroom” activities above Complete the Planetarium Activity on page 14.

END

NCP

SCP

CE

NorthSouth

West

East

The Celestial SphereAs seen from Nacogdoches

Midnight

Noon

Sunrise

Sunset

The Earth rotates towards the east

(CCW)

The Earth’s Rotation: Daily Motion

The Earth’s Rotationstars move 15°/hour from east to west

Fall Stars

Spring Stars

Summer Stars

Winter Stars

The Earth’s Revolution: Annual Motion

The Earth’s Revolutionseasonal stars and constellations