Class Activity Two: Celestial sphere, Patterns in Sky

ASTR1101: THE SOLAR SYSTEM

Class Activity Two: Celestial sphere, Patterns in Sky

Date Due:  Friday, May 24^th 2024 at 11:59 pm      To be submitted via a link on D2L.

Total Possible Marks: 30                                         Deduction with increment of one mark.

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Objectives:

• Getting familiar with the directions specified by celestial sphere,
• Patterns of stars in sky, appearance of the Sun and the moon in sky in Daily, Monthly and Yearly bases

NOTES:

• Be sure to show all of your work (including assumptions, equations, sample calculations) units in your final answers.
• Write up should be organized, easy-to-follow with reasonably clear diagrams (if needed). Up to10% of the mark of the assignment is deducted if otherwise!
• Students will work individually. Collaboration is encouraged, but submissions should be individual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Question 1: IDENTIFYING CONSTELLATION

1. Based on the slides and the constellation shown therein, what is the name of the constellation pattern below.

• Do Google search, find the name of each one of the stars shown, write each next to the star.

• Label these stars with their corresponding Greek letter, indicating the order of the brightness.

• What is the apparent visual magnitude of the brightest star in this list? How far is this star from the Earth? Do a google search!

• What is the apparent visual magnitude of the second brightest star in this list? How far is this star from the Earth? Do a google search!

• Which one of the two stars in part (d) and(e) is closer to the Earth?

Question 2: CONSTELLATIONS AND POSITION OF THE SUN 

• Based on the position of the Earth with respect to Sun, shown in slide#37-Chapter 2, determine the closest constellation to the position of the Sun at:
• Mid February
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• Mid August

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• Early November
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Question 3: SIMULATIONS

• Based on the simulators explained in lectures, determine the latitude of each observer on Earth, as explained below.
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• Observer A sees the trail of stars making angle of 70 degree with the horizon when looking at west.
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• Observer B sees the Northern star is 40 degrees above the horizon when looking at north.

• Observer C sees no circumpolar star.
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• Observer E sees the trail of stars making angle of 90 degree with the horizon when looking at east.
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• Observer F sees the trail of stars parallel with the horizon when looking at south.

• Observer G sees the Northern star at the horizon when looking at north.

• Observer H sees the south celestial pole 55 degrees above the horizon when looking at south.
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Question 4: CONSTELLATIONS /skay map and POSITION OF THE SUN 

• Based on the night sky map shown below and four stars A, B, C and D labeled, draw approximate line of ecliptic on this map and additionally determine if the statements below are true or false.
• Star A is a circumpolar star.
• Star D is the farthest from the ecliptic plane.
• Star C is at the horizon line of the observer.
• Star B is the closer to the zenith of the observer rather than star A.
• This night sky map is valid for month of September.

Question 5: phase of the moon 

1. At a moment during a day, an observer on the Earth sees the position of the Moon and the Sun as shown below in the sky. Based on this diagram,

 

 

1. Determine which phase is the moon in?
2. How many days later again does the moon return to the same relative position with respect to the sun?
3. In two days after this moment, does the relative distance of the Sun and Moon in the above diagram increase or decrease?
4. Place the location of the observer on the Earth as well as the position of the Moon with respect to it in the diagram below. Show clearly the illuminated half of the Moon and also the portion visible to the observer on the Earth.

Question 6: CONCEPTS CHECKED 

1. In your own word and using a diagram, explain the following concepts.
2. Vernal equinox
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5. Celestial equator
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8. Annular solar eclipse
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11. Synchronized rotation of the moon
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