Name___________________Mod_____
Summary
The student becomes familiar with the night sky through observations of
celestial objects.
Materials
- Astronomer's (red-lensed) flashlight
- Telescope or binoculars
- Star Charts Protractor or Astrolabe
- Pencil
Procedure Becoming a good observer takes practice. The sketches of what you observe tonight should be of what you see, not what you think you should have seen nor what some book has pictured. This exercise offers just an inkling of what observational astronomy is all about. Do Observation #7 first so you can redo the observation after 1 or more hours. Answer question #4 as precisely as possible. Observations #3,#4, and #5 are your extra credit for this quarter. These questions must be signed by the astronomer present.
Fill in the boxes, and answer the questions.
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Place of observations: |
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Weather/sky conditions: |
1. Our moon: Luna
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Make a rough
sketch of the Moon as seen with your naked eye, and as seen through a telescope.
Label your sketches with N, S, E, and W. |
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Naked Eye |
Through
Telescope |
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2. Altitude of Polaris
Using your astrolabe, hand-at-arm's-length, or degree scale on your planisphere, estimate the altitude of Polaris. Compare your
value with that determined by a few other classmates.
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Altitude of Polaris: |
3. Observations of a Planet and other astronomical objects
Do the two of the following three observations Astronomer’s signature________________ |
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Sketch Saturn, showing
its rings, and any visible moons |
Sketch Jupiter,
showing any markings and any visible moons |
Sketch Venus,
showing its phase |
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Do two of the following three observations Astronomer’s
signature________________
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Sketch, and
describe an example of an open cluster |
Sketch, and
describe an example of a globular cluster |
Sketch, and
describe an example of a nebula or a galaxy |
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Description: |
Description: |
Description: |
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4.
5. Mastered use of telescope by finding a specific star
Astronomer’s signature________________
6. Observations of a Binary Star
Do one of the following two observations Astronomer’s signature________________ |
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Observe and
sketch the double star Mizar (z Ursae Majoris). |
Observe and
sketch the visual double star Albireo (b Cygni) |
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7. Observations of Constellations
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Do all of the
following observations |
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Constellation 1 |
Constellation 2 |
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Constellation 3 |
Constellation 4 |
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Questions
(answer those pertaining to your observations)
- Luna: Consider your sketches of the Moon. Does the telescope you used invert and/or reverse the image of the Moon? How can you tell?
- Polaris: The latitude
of
- Deep Sky Objects: For your observations of the galaxy, clusters, or nebulae, can you resolve any of these objects into stars? Why or why not?
- Choose 2 of the 4 constellations and measure the altitude and azimuth again. Note the time and determine the number of degrees the constellation moved during the first time period (hopefully about an hour). Calculate the angular speed of the constellation in degrees per hour. Within your observational errors, how close does this measurement to the expected value?
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Constellation |
Time passed |
Altitude |
Altitude change/hour |
Azimuth |
Azimuth change /hour |
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- Choose the same 2 of the 4 constellations and measure the altitude and azimuth again. Note the time and determine the number of degrees the constellation moved during the second time period (hopefully about an hour). Calculate the angular speed of the constellation in degrees per hour. Within your observational errors, how close does this measurement to the expected value? Any major changes in the two time periods?
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Constellation |
Time passed |
Altitude |
Altitude change/hour |
Azimuth |
Azimuth change /hour |
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