Indigenous Astronomy Lab 1
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Arizona State University *
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421
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Astronomy
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Dec 6, 2023
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NAME & USERNAME: Santino Servant SS4428
SECTION: 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
!
LAB 1-1
NAME & USERNAME: SECTION: 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]
In 2-3 sentences
, explain some details the website provided and anything interesting about the website or the object. [1pt]
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
LAB 1-2
NAME & USERNAME: SECTION:
Choose 2 applications out of the listed four (or try all!) and answer the questions below. [2pt] 2. SkyView Lite (iOS and Android)
Open the application and point your device up in the air. Try locating any objects you can find and look at the information provided. You will be able to identify stars, constellations, galaxies, and satellites. Write down at least 3 different celestial objects you found.
In 2-3 sentences
, explain some details the app provided and anything interesting about
the application or the object.
3. Star Chart (iOS and Android)
Using an Augmented Reality (AR) device, open the application and point your device up
in the air. Try locating any objects you can find. Write down at least 3 different celestial
objects you found.
In 2-3 sentences
, explain some details the app provided and anything interesting about
the application or the object.
Bonus: t
ry locating a planet, and try the Time Shift feature by tapping on the time in the upper-right corner.
LAB 1-3
NAME & USERNAME: SECTION:
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.
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.
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.
In 2-3 sentences
, explain some details the website provided and anything interesting about the website or the object.
LAB 1-4
NAME & USERNAME: SECTION: STEP 2: OBSERVE THE SKY
OUTDOOR SKY-WATCHING EXERCISE
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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.
Big Dipper
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).
Polaris
Cassiopeia
Little Dipper
NW N NE
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.
LAB 1-5
NAME & USERNAME: SECTION:
NORTH: [0.5pt]
EAST: [0.5pt]
LAB 1-6
NAME & USERNAME:
SECTION:
SOUTH: [0.5pt]
WEST: [0.5pt]
ALTERNATIVES TO OBSERVATIONS
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.!
LAB 1-7
NAME & USERNAME: Santino Servant
SECTION:
STEP 3: CONNECTING THE TWO ASTRONOMIES
Steps 1 to 2 helped you understand some basic astronomy and constellations, but how do we relate to Indigenous astronomy? Discuss with your lab partner about why Step 2
,
outdoor sky viewing, is important. Consider the next few questions and provide 1-2 sentence responses for each.
1. Why is it important to tell stories? [1pt]
I think that it is important to tell stories because they tell the history of people. The original way for families and societies to tell their histories was through oral stories so their history is in their stories which makes them important.
2. Why would people need to know the locations of stars in the night sky? [0.5pt]
The night sky is one of the most reliable sources when it comes to navigation. By knowing where certain stars such as the North star are you can find out where you are going and can navigate easier.
3. How can you use these locations? [0.5pt]
By finding these locations you are able to know what way is which. If you go towards the North star you will always be going North so you can travel more effectively.
4. What can the locations of constellations tell you throughout the year? [0.5pt]
They can tell you what time of year it is. Constellations are always constantly moving and they are in different spots at different times of the year. If you know your constellations well they can tell you what time of the year it is.
LAB 1-8
NAME & USERNAME: Santino Servant
SECTION:
5. Describe how the four directions are useful. [0.5pt]
The four directions are useful because they are each used for navigation. If you know what stars are in which directions you can use them all to navigate in different directions.
6. What do you think the importance of bright stars is, both to Western and Indigenous cultures? [1pt]
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I think that bright stars such as the north star are very important to almost every civilization in the world. In the United States for example runaway slaves used it to find their way North and go to freedom. Indigenous people also used them for navigation and made many legends about them.
EXTRA CREDITS
7. Do you know any Indigenous stories or have experiences with Indigenous culture? [0.5pt]
I do not personally know many stories unfortunately but I have a friend that does. He told me about how they have legends about the North star and how things such as the full moon are very important.
8. What do you think the importance of bright stars is, both to western and Indigenous cultures? [0.5pt]
I think that bright stars such as the north star are very important to almost every civilization in the world. In the United States for example runaway slaves used it to find their way North and go to freedom. Indigenous people also used them for navigation and made many legends about them.
LAB 1-9