Your Name:                                              

 

 

 

ASTRonomy 112 Make-Up Lab

 

PART A:    Class discussion questions:

 

True or false:

1.     Polaris is not the brightest star in the sky.                                                

 

2.     Polaris rises in the east and sets in the west just as the Sun does.              

 

3.     Polaris is always found at the observer's zenith.                                       

 

PART B:    Group discussion questions:

 

About how many stars do you think you can see at night with the un-aided eye?

 

 

Are all the stars the same brightness?  If not, what do you think is causing the differences.

 

 

 

Can you tell if all the stars are the same size?  Why / why not?

 

 

Explain why you can't see the stars in the daytime?

 

 

Explain what is special about the North Star?

 

 

 

Has anyone seen any planets at night?  If so, which planets?

 

 

 

How do you know whether a point of light is a star or planet?

 

 

 

What is the fundamental difference between a star and planet?

 

 

 

 

PART C:    Constructing the Star Finder

 

1.      Cut out the star map along the outer edge of the calendar ring.  Be sure to cut smoothly along the curve.  If the edge of the map is not cut properly, the star finder will be hard to use.

 

2.      Cut out the star finder envelope.  There are two separate pieces of the envelope.  Cut out each piece.  You will be taping the two pieces together as demonstrated by the instructor.  Note that you must cut out the window section of the envelope, but do not cut off the tabs as they are needed to assemble the star finder.

 

3.      Tape the tabs in place after placing the star map in between the two envelope pieces.

 

4.      Slip the star map wheel into the envelope so that the printed side of the map faces out of the envelope's window.  The map wheel should fit snugly inside the makeshift envelope.

 

5.      The portion of the star map inside the window displays the stars visible in the sky for the date and time selected.  This star map is a model of the sky.  The stars are represented by star symbols on the map.  The brighter a star appears to be compared to other stars, the larger is the star symbol that represents it on the map.  Stars in the center of the window correspond to the stars overhead.  Stars near the edge of the window are stars that are near the horizon.  Stars on the map near North on the envelope are visible in the northern sky.  Stars on the map near East on the envelope are visible in the eastern sky.  Stars in the southern and western skies can be located near South and West, respectively, on the envelope.

 

6.      To simulate the movement of the stars across the sky, turn the star wheel in a counterclockwise direction.  Note that when you do this, stars move into the window near East on the envelope, these stars are rising.  At the same time, other stars move out of the window near West on the envelope.  These stars are setting.

 

7.      Adjust the star wheel until Orion is just inside the window near East on the envelope.  This represents rising above the east point on the horizon.  Turn the wheel counterclockwise until Orion is above South on the envelope.  Note that Orion is about halfway between the South edge of the envelope and the center of the window.  Orion's location in the sky would therefore be about 45 degrees above the south point on the horizon.  This is equivalent to a altitude of 45 degrees and an azimuth of 180 degrees.  If you continue to turn the wheel counterclockwise you will see Orion reaching the edge of the window near West which represents Orion setting.

 

8.      To set the star finder, turn the star map wheel until the desired date on the calendar ring lines up with the arrow on the envelope for the time desired.  If we were in the time when Daylight Savings time was in effect, we would have to subtract one hour from the time selected and use that as the time setting.

 

 

PART D:    Now set the star finder for 7:00 PM on February 1 and answer the following questions:

 

1.     Name two constellations that would be visible near the overhead location.

 

 

2.     Name the constellation that has just risen above the east point on the horizon.

 

 

3.     Name the constellation that is setting at the west point on the horizon.

 

 

4.     Estimate Orion's position in altitude and azimuth notation.

 

Altitude:                                    Azimuth:                                  

 

5.     Estimate the altitude and azimuth of the Big Dipper.

 

Altitude:                                    Azimuth:                                  

 

6.     At about what time will Orion set on February 1.

 

 

 

7.     At about what time will Virgo rise on February 1.

 

 

8.     Can you find the Square of Pegasus on February 1?  If yes, describe its location in the sky at a specific time.

 

 

 

9.     Can you find Sagittarius on February 1?  If yes, describe its location in the sky at a specific time.

 

 

 

 

PART E:              Now set the star finder for 10:00 PM for today's date.

 

1.     Name the constellation nearest the EASTERN horizon.

 

 

2.     Name the constellation that is about to set (but none of which is below the horizon).

 

 

3.     Estimate altitude and azimuth for Taurus.

 

Altitude:                                    Azimuth:                                  

 

4.     Estimate altitude and azimuth for Cetus.

 

Altitude:                                    Azimuth:                                  

 

5.     Estimate time for the setting of Andromeda.

 

 

6.     Estimate time for the rising of Corvus.