BristerAlexandra-AST201-Lab1

NAME & USERNAME: ALEXANDRA BRISTER SECTION: 011 LAB 1-1 LAB 1 CONNECTING WESTERN AND INDIGENOUS ASTRONOMY INTRODUCTION This first lab will begin with an introduction to the overall lab structure. Each lab is broken up into Steps for you to complete. In Lab 1, Step 1 introduces you to some digital sky-viewing applications that may come handy in the future outdoor sky-watching exercises. To help you grasp a better idea about these sky-watching exercises, you will go outside and observe the stars and constellations in Step 2 . To finish this lab, Step 3 asks you to think about how to connect with the Indigenous astronomy through observing the sky. LEARNING GOALS The points below are the expected topics to understand by the end of this lab period. Remember to review these points before completing the lab. If you do not understand one, review the steps that cover it and discuss with your instructor. • Be able to use different sky observing digital applications • Express ways to connect western and Indigenous astronomies

NAME & USERNAME: ALEXANDRA BRISTER SECTION: 011 LAB 1-2 STEP 1: USEFUL DIGITAL APPLICATIONS Over the course of the semester, we will be viewing and calculating measurements of different sky objects. There are a few free Android and iOS applications that can help you on your astronomical journey. The main purpose of this step is to give you an idea of what these applications can do and which one you want to use this semester. We will begin with getting familiar with the free website called Stellarium , since it is required in later labs ( Polynesian Wayfinding and Maya and The Wandering Stars ). The website and its information are provided in this step along with instructor assistance with its use. We will wait until the sky is dark enough for observations to proceed to Step 2 . 1. Stellarium (Online Website): stellarium-web.org Open the website in your preferred browser and click on the various icons at the bottom of the screen to give you different information. Your instructor may show you some online tutorials (see footnote 1 ). To remove the left side bar, click on the three lines icon in the upper-left corner. Write down at least 3 different celestial objects you found. (Note that Stellarium also offers paid mobile application.) [1pt] I found the constellations Cassiopeia, Draco, and Lacerta while looking around on the app. In 2-3 sentences , explain some details the website provided and anything interesting about the website or the object. [1pt] This website provides in-depth descriptions of each constellation and its location in the sky. It's also interesting that the website can show real-time observations or at different times. I could fast forward to a different month and see how the positions of the constellations change. 1 How to Use Stellarium Web, by Physics and Astronomy, University of Iowa: https://itu.physics.uiowa.edu/part-1-stellarium-web; How to use Stellarium-Web, Youtube Tutorial (6:18) by Cernan Earth and Space Center: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q79pfO1zbbc

NAME & USERNAME: ALEXANDRA BRISTER SECTION: 011 LAB 1-4 4. Night Sky (iOS) or Sky Map (Android, on Google Play) Open the application on your device and point it up in the air. You will be able to explore planets, stars, and other sky objects using their AR capabilities. Write down at least 3 different celestial objects you found. I found Ursa Minor, Ursa Major, and Libra while looking around on the app. In 2-3 sentences , explain some details the app provided and anything interesting about the application or the object. Bonus: Try quizzing yourself using the application to refresh on objects throughout the semester. Also try using the Planet Internal Structures capabilities to learn about the internal structure of planets in our Solar System. This app shows the latest news and events about what's going on in the astronomy world. This app also allows me to search the night sky to find a constellation or planet. I also discovered I can tap on a planet, and it will show me the direction it will move in. 5. Star Chart (Online Website): in-the-sky.org/skymap2.php A star chart is a map of the entire sky that is visible at a certain date. This website allows you to set your location, access any day, month, or year you choose, and limiting magnitudes of stars. You can also choose to display planets, deep-sky objects or constellations. Try different grids, or coordinate systems, that can be shown on the star chart. You can then export this to a PNG file. Alternatively, you can also create a hard copy your own at in-the-sky.org/planisphere/index.php. Write down at least 3 different celestial objects you found. This website shows the moon, Saturn, and Mars. In 2-3 sentences , explain some details the website provided and anything interesting about the website or the object. This website shows some upcoming events to look out for currently and I also think it's really interesting that I can change the date and time to see other events that have happened. I can also change the location to see other events that have occurred in different areas around the world. There are also other features on the website like seeing different spacecrafts and objects in the sky.

NAME & USERNAME: ALEXANDRA BRISTER SECTION: 011 LAB 1-5 STEP 2: OBSERVE THE SKY This exercise continues in Stars And Time lab. Together, they focus on the seasonal movement of stars in the night sky as the Earth revolves around the Sun. Here you will learn to identify prominent stars and constellations in the North first. In Stars And Time lab, you will observe the sky again to see how the positions of the stars and constellations have changed. Note that the figure shown below is the Flagstaff night in the early spring . Depending on the season, you may only observe parts of the constellations. Use any of the digital applications in Step 1 for your convenience. During this part of the lab, please leave the classroom with your classmates and instructor in order to make observations outside. Bring this lab, a writing utensil, and a hard surface to write on. Your instructor will guide you to the preferred location for your observations. 1. Orient Yourself To get started, accustom your eyes to the night sky by looking up for a few minutes. Face North, which is approximately in the direction of the San Francisco Peaks. In early evening in January , the Cassiopeia appears low in the sky slightly to the left of North (Northwest). The Big Dipper rises later in the first half of the night. Polaris, the North Star, is at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper . The Little Dipper is more difficult to see in general, since many of its stars are faint. The Big Dipper, however, is much more recognizable and two “ pointer stars” at the end of the cup point to the North Star as shown in Figure 1.1. Late in August , the Cassiopeia is high in the sky, while the Big Dipper is low in the Northern sky. They appear similarly in the sky when you rotate the figure below counterclockwise for 90 degrees. 2. Draw the Sky and Landmarks Using your application, locate at least 10 of the following constellations: Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Draco, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Cygnus, Pegasus, Andromeda, Aquarius, Pisces, Perseus, Taurus, Orion, and Gemini . In January , look towards the Western horizon, to find the Winter Triangle — Sirius, Betelgeuse, and Procyon, some of the brightest stars in the sky. In August , however, find the Winter Triangle in the Eastern horizon. Draw the sky in the 4 cardinal directions (North, East, South, West) below. Remember that North is towards the San Francisco peaks. Include at least 2 constellations chosen above in your drawings in each direction. Draw the constellations as seen on your application, i.e. the stars are dots with the stars in a constellation connected by lines. Include local reference points on your drawings. For example, if you are standing so that Cline library is directly to your West, include a reference to that on your Western horizon. Some constellations can be in multiple drawings. O U T D O O R S K Y - W A T C H I N G E X E R C I S E Cassiopeia Polaris Little Dipper Big Dipper N NE NW Figure 1.1: Cassiopeia, the Big Dipper, Polaris, the North Star, and the Little Dipper as seen in early spring evening in the Northern Hemisphere at mid-latitudes. The two stars at the end of the cup in the Big Dipper are known as the “ pointer stars” because the line that connects them points to the North Star. Their names in western astronomy are Merak (farthest from Polaris) and Dubhe (closer to Polaris).

NAME & USERNAME: ALEXANDRA BRISTER SECTION: 011 LAB 1-7 SOUTH: [0.5pt] WEST: [0.5pt]

NAME & USERNAME: ALEXANDRA BRISTER SECTION: 011 LAB 1-8 You can also choose to do this Step using the online Stellarium website, or the apps from Step 1 . Please note on your lab if you do it this way. A L T E R N A T I V E S T O O B S E R V A T I O N S

NAME & USERNAME: ALEXANDRA BRISTER SECTION: 011 LAB 1-10 5. Describe how the four directions are useful. [0.5pt] The four directions are useful because they give people a way to make sense of the world, by having spatial awareness of where they are in relation to another spot. It is also helpful for navigating if you don’t have a map or GPS. 6. What do you think the importance of bright stars is, both to Western and Indigenous cultures? [1pt] In Western cultures, the stars have been used for navigation because we can see the bright stars without needing a telescope. I also think that in both cultures the stars were used as a way to tell stories to the younger generations, and they are used as a way of teaching. In Indigenous cultures, the stars serve as calendars and ways of storytelling to younger generations. They are also able to predict the weather and the seasons, they also use it to unite the community.