PHYS110-Fall2023-Lab2(1)

1 Name:___ Date:___ PHYS 110L Lab # 2 Observing the Motion of Constellations 1 Equipment: access to http://www.heavens-above.com Instructions: Please read and follow the steps described below and answer all questions. For questions that ask you to estimate the location of the Sun, please use your eyes only (no need to measure things precisely with a ruler). Part #1 Computer Simulation Setup Step 1. Go to the website: https://www.heavens-above.com/ Step 2. Under the Configuration section, click on the Change your observing location link. Step 3. Scroll down the page to the Enter place to search for box and type in your location ( e.g. Grand Forks, North Dakota). Click the Search button and your location should be displayed on the map. If not, please enter your latitude and longitude in the available boxes. Step 4. Once your location is set, click the Update button near the bottom of the webpage. This action will take you back to the main page with your location and time set in the box at the upper right of the page. Step 5. Under the Astronomy section, click the link Interactive Sky Chart . This will give you a star chart displaying of the visible stars, planets, and Sun that are currently located above your position. Notice that the star charts are set such that north is towards the top and west is to the right, which is different than a map of the United States. 1 Modified from Engaging in Astronomical Inquiry , by S. J. Slater, T. F. Slater, and D. J. Lyons, 2010, W. H. Freeman and Company. Learning Objectives: In this lab assignment you will conduct a series of inquiries about the position and motion of constellations using simulations. You will learn how different stars are visible at different times of the year and in different locations in the sky.

2 Part #2 Exploration Question 1: When you first turn on the star map, the yellow dot marking the Sun is probably visible (if not, change the time until it is above the south-western horizon). When changing the date or month you may need to click the Update button. If you were to go outside right now, could you see stars shown on the map? Explain why or why not. I would not be able to see the stars and constellations in the sky since the Sun has not set for the day and the light from the sun mostly blocks out the light from the other stars in the night sky and reflected light from planetary objects in our solar system. Question 2: Which constellation of stars is the Sun closest to? The Sun is currently next to the constellation Leo. Question 3: If you increase the time by one hour, remembering to use a 24-hour clock, toward which direction does the Sun move (North, South, East, West)? The Sun moves West in the sky from our present location. Question 4: Now, one hour later than when you started, which constellation of stars is the Sun now closest to? The constellation that the Sun is closest to is still the constellation Leo. Question 5: If you advance the time to sunset, which constellation of stars is the Sun closest to at sunset? The constellation that the Sun is closest to at sunset is still the constellation Leo. Question 6: Advance the time to sunrise, which constellation of stars is the Sun closest to at sunrise? The constellation that the Sun is closest to during sunrise is still the constellation Leo.

4 Question 13: Using the sky chart, which constellation of stars is the Sun closest to one month from now? The constellation Virgo. Question 14: Using the sky chart, which constellation of stars is the Sun closest to two months from now? The constellation Libra. Question 15: Using the sky chart, which constellation of stars is the Sun closest to three months from now? The constellation Scorpius. Question 16: Using the sky chart, which constellation of stars is the Sun closest to six months from now? The constellation Aquarius. Question 17: Using the sky chart, which constellation of stars is the Sun closest to nine months from now? The constellation Taurus. Question 18: Using the sky chart, which constellation of stars is the Sun closest to one year from now? The constellation Leo. Question 19: Using the sky chart, which constellation of stars is the Sun closest to two years from now? The constellation Leo.

5 Question 20: Based on your collected evidence, do you agree or disagree with the following statement, “The constellations seem to slowly drift westward compared to the position of the Sun, with the Sun covering constellations at a rate of about one per week.” ? Explain your reasoning and provide evidence either from the above questions or from evidence you generated using the star map program. I would disagree with this statement that “The constellations seem to slowly drift westward compared to the position of the Sun, with the Sun covering constellations at a rate of about one per week” because based on the evidence it appears the Sun moves th rough the zodiac constellations at a rate of roughly one constellation per month, not one constellation per week. Conclusion. Please provide feedback regarding the lab assignment. Are there things that you liked or disliked? Thanks!! I liked the lab a lot, it was fun to learn about the change of position of the constellations in our night sky over the course of a year.