RivadeneiraB-Lab02
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
111
Subject
Astronomy
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by SuperSummerBoar7
Name: Blanca Rivadeneira
Date: 02/12/24
Lab 02 – Intro to the Night Sky
1.
When you were looking north
, which way did the sky appear to rotate?
Answer: When I looked North the sky appear to rotate from east to west
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: According of what I learned; the stars are in a fixed position while the earth rotates on its axis. Probably that is why many ancient observers assumed the sky was rotating above the fixed Earth. The explanation is that this motion is because due to the Earth’s rotation.
3.
Is Polaris (the “North Star”) located exactly above Earth’s geographic north pole? How can you tell?
Answer: It appears to follow a very small circle due to earth’s rotation through it mains what is essentially is right above the geographical North Pole. So the answer is not always directly above the earth’s north pole. The earth rotates around this line.
4.
In a couple of sentences, describe what the sky looks like at the North Pole on June 21.
Answer: On June 21 is when the June solstice marks the beginning of the summer in the North Pole. This is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere. The sky is bright and blue.
5.
In a couple of sentences, describe what the sky looks like at the North Pole on December 21.
Answer: December 21 is the darkest time of the year. I feel like since the night is longer you can see more constellations and still see the Polaris the dipper is more above than June where it was lower. 6.
In a couple of sentences, describe what the sky looks like at the South Pole on June 21.
Answer: It looks dark. The moon, Jupiter, Saturn, you can see more planets.
7.
In a couple of sentences, describe what the sky looks like at the South Pole on December 21.
Answer: You can see some planets in the beginning of the night and see more brighter stars. During the month of December at the south pole is summer, that’s why we can see more brighter stars.
8.
How can we explain the differences observed at the poles on those dates?
Answer: The differences observed at the poles it depends on how the earth tilts toward the sun. For example, if the North Pole tilts toward the sun, then we have summer, and the nights are shorter. When the South Pole tilts toward the sun, then we have winter here, making the nights longer. The night is longer in December so you can observe longer, starts could be seeing different places.
9.
Identify your observing location (e.g., Charlotte NC). List the date(s) and the beginning and ending times for your outdoor observations.
Answer: Charlotte, NC February 11, 2024 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 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: Today I was not able to observe any constellations due to the weather. It was very cloudy and rainy. Normally during the month of February we should be able to see Auriga, Camelopardalis, Canis Major, Columbia, Gemini, Monoceros, and Puppos.
11.Were you able to find Polaris? If so, where in the sky did you observe it?
Answer: No, I was not able to find Polaris due to the weather. I was hoping to observe something tonight but unfortunately, we got another rainy day.
12.Did you observe the Moon? If so, what phase and/or features did you see?
Answer: I was not able to see the moon due to the rainy and cloudy day. According to the Almanac, today the moon is Wanning crescent 23.0% 25 days.
Reference:
Moon phases and Lunar Calendar for Charlotte, NC
. Almanac.com. (n.d.). https://www.almanac.com/astronomy/moon/calendar/NC/Charlotte
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help