Lab 02 - Introduction To The Night Sky
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Rowan-Cabarrus Community College *
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12
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Aerospace Engineering
Date
Feb 20, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by SargentAlpaca4147
Name: Alma Ayoubi
Date: February 10
th
, 2024
Lab 02 – Intro to the Night Sky
1.
When you were looking north
, which way did the sky appear to rotate?
Answer:
Counterclockwise.
2.
Many ancient observers assumed the sky was rotating above the fixed Earth. What is another way to explain the apparent rotation of the sky?
Answer:
The stars maintain a constant position as the Earth revolves around its axis.
3.
Is Polaris (the “North Star”) located exactly above Earth’s geographic north pole? How can you tell?
Answer:
Certainly, it seems to trace a relatively tight circular path, primarily maintaining a position directly over the geographic North Pole, influenced by the Earth's rotation.
4.
In a couple of sentences, describe what the sky looks like at the North Pole on June 21.
Answer:
The weather appears to be bright and sunny, with only the Sun and Venus visible in the sky.
5.
In a couple of sentences, describe what the sky looks like at the North Pole on December 21.
Answer:
During the nighttime, the Moon and Uranus grace the sky with their presence, accompanied by the shining stars Vega and Arcturus.
6.
In a couple of sentences, describe what the sky looks like at the South Pole on
June 21.
Answer:
As the night descends, the moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Canopus, Sirius, and Alpha Centauri grace the sky with their celestial presence, casting a mesmerizing display of celestial bodies.
7.
In a couple of sentences, describe what the sky looks like at the South Pole on
December 21.
Answer:
The Sun has illuminated the sky, revealing the celestial bodies Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn in their visible glory.
8.
How can we explain the differences observed at the poles on those dates?
Answer:
They are located diametrically across the globe from each other.
9.
Identify your observing location (e.g., Charlotte NC). List the date(s) and the beginning and ending times for your outdoor observations.
Answer:
I spent the evening of December 28 in Charlotte, North Carolina, observing
from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
10.
List all the constellations you were able to observe. If you could not discern any (or the weather was unfavorable), list the ones that should be visible from your location at this time of year. Answer:
Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, Draco, Libra, Aquila, Cygnus, Serpens, Hercules, and Lyra.
11.
Were you able to find Polaris? If so, where in the sky did you observe it?
Answer:
Affirmative, it occurred in the northern direction, towards wooded areas situated behind the property.
12.
Did you observe the Moon? If so, what phase and/or features did you see?
Answer:
On the 10th, the moon appeared as a slender waxing crescent, exhibiting a
yellowish hue reminiscent of a harvest moon. By the 12th, it had progressed to nearly half-full, revealing discernible indentations on its surface.
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