Lab #1
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Sam Houston State University *
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Course
6399
Subject
Astronomy
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
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Uploaded by JusticeRam27093
Lab #1
ASTR 1103: Stars and Galaxies
Spring 2024
Houston Community College
Introduction: This laboratory assignment will apply conceptual information on what is present in the night sky and how we represent their positions. We will see how objects seemingly move over a period of a few months and demonstrate some behavior discussed in lecture. This assignment makes extensive use of the free astronomy program, Stellarium, in order to accurately simulate observations of the night sky. All questions can only be answered using this software.
There are 8 “Tasks” for you to fill out, answer, and/or upload a screenshot. The points available for each task are stated above each one, with a total of 25 points across the entire assignment. Technology Tips: -
Know how to take screenshots on your device
-
Many keyboards have a “Print Screen” key that you can press
-
On Windows, you can also press the Shift, Windows, and S keys simultaneously to select which area to screenshot
-
On Mac, you can also press Shift, Command, and 4 keys simultaneously to select which area to screenshot
-
On Android devices, you can press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons to take a screenshot
-
On iPhone devices:
-
With only Face ID unlock: press and hold the Side Button and Volume Up
-
With Touch ID unlock: press and hold the Side Button and Home Button
-
Try to avoid taking a picture of your computer screen with your phone as your picture submission. These rarely turn out well!
-
Download and install Stellarium (
https://stellarium.org/
)
-
Know what type of operating system your computer has to help pick out the correct version to install.
-
You can also use the Stellarium Web version if you’re on a public computer or mobile device.
-
Watch the Stellarium Tutorial video (48 minutes) on the Recordings page of our Canvas site for an in-depth demonstration on how to use Stellarium
Submission Details:
-
Make sure you answer each question with the appropriate response type. Whether it's a text answer, filling out a table, or a screenshot picture.
-
Add your answers directly into this document and upload it to the assignment submission on Canvas to turn it in.
(3 points) Task #1:
-
Set your location in Stellarium to Houston, Texas, USA
-
Set the date and time to 7 pm on Sunday, February 4th, 2024
-
Point the camera to zenith
(directly above)
-
Zoom out until the horizon is in view on all sides
-
Make sure planet labels are displayed
-
Make sure that the Atmosphere option is turned off
-
Take a screenshot to upload
Screenshot Submission:
[Post your screenshot here]
(2 points) Task #2: -
Adjust the date and time settings in Stellarium to help you answer the following question.
-
During which hours is the Moon visible
in Houston on the morning of Monday, February 5th, 2024
?
-
Note: the Moon is visible when it’s above the horizon and when the Sun is below the horizon.
Text Submission:
The Moon is visible from _____________ until _____________ on February 5th.
(3 points)
Task #3:
-
The Sun seemingly follows a certain path as it rises and sets.
-
What is the name of this path?
-
What constellations along this path are visible at 9 pm
on Sunday, Feb. 4th, 2024
?
Text Submission:
The path that the Sun follows is called: _________
Text Submission:
The constellations that appear at 9 pm along this path are:
_______________________________________
(3 points)
Task #4:
-
Adjust the date and time settings in Stellarium to help you answer the following question.
-
Which Solar System planets were visible on the night of Sunday, December 31st, 2023
into Monday, January 1st, 2024
?
-
Post a screenshot of the planets that were visible at 7 pm on Sunday, Dec. 31st
.
Text Submission: These Solar System planets are visible on Sunday into Monday night:
________________________________________
Screenshot Submission:
[Post your screenshot here]
(2 points)
Task #5:
-
Use the Search Window to look up the following coordinates: 5h 55m 11.7s
of right ascension and +7 24’ 24.7”
declination.
-
What object is present here?
-
Note: make sure you hit “enter” after putting in the coordinates
Text Submission:
The object at these coordinates is: ______________
(5 points)
Task #6:
-
Fill out the following tables with the right ascension (RA) and declination (Dec) of both Mars and Aldebaran at the specified dates and times.
-
You may want to use the Search Window to find each object.
-
Use the “RA/Dec (on date)” coordinates for each object.
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-
You will likely have to turn off the Ground option to see the objects on all dates
Table Submission:
Mars Data
Time and Date
Right Ascension
Declination
Midnight, 1st October, 2023
Midnight, 1st November, 2023
Midnight, 1st December, 2023
Midnight, 1st January, 2024
Midnight, 1st February, 2024
Midnight, 1st March, 2024
Midnight, 1st April, 2024
Midnight, 1st May, 2024
Table Submission:
Aldebaran Data
Time and Date
Right Ascension
Declination
Midnight, 1st October, 2023
Midnight, 1st November, 2023
Midnight, 1st December, 2023
Midnight, 1st January, 2024
Midnight, 1st February, 2024
Midnight, 1st March, 2024
Midnight, 1st April, 2024
Midnight, 1st May, 2024
(3 points)
Task #7:
-
Right ascension and declination can each be converted from their hours, minutes, seconds and degrees, arcminutes, arcseconds units into a single number.
-
This is known as decimal units. -
For simplicity, you can use the following equations:
RA decimal conversion equation: RA
(
decimal
)=
hours
+
minutes
60
+
seconds
3600
Dec decimal conversion equation (positive): Dec
(
decimal
)=
degrees
+
arcminutes
60
+
arcseconds
3600
Dec decimal conversion equation (negative): Dec
(
decimal
)=
degrees
−
arcminutes
60
−
arcseconds
3600
-
Note: if declination is negative, its degrees, arcminutes, and arcseconds are all negative,
so you will be subtracting (adding negatives).
-
Convert your data from the previous tables into decimal units.
Table Submission:
Mars Data
Time and Date
Right Ascension (Decimal)
Declination (Decimal)
Midnight, 1st October, 2023
Midnight, 1st November, 2023
Midnight, 1st December, 2023
Midnight, 1st January, 2024
Midnight, 1st February, 2024
Midnight, 1st March, 2024
Midnight, 1st April, 2024
Midnight, 1st May, 2024
Table Submission:
Aldebaran Data
Time and Date
Right Ascension (Decimal)
Declination (Decimal)
Midnight, 1st October, 2023
Midnight, 1st November, 2023
Midnight, 1st December, 2023
Midnight, 1st January, 2024
Midnight, 1st February, 2024
Midnight, 1st March, 2024
Midnight, 1st April, 2024
Midnight, 1st May, 2024
(4 points)
Task #8:
-
Compare and contrast how the coordinates of Mars and Aldebaran changed during this time range. -
Things to address: -
Did their coordinates increase or decrease? -
How much did they change each month? -
What kind of objects are Mars and Aldebaran? Do your results agree with how these types of objects appear to move?
Text Submission:
[Your written response here]
Were there any laboratory questions that you weren’t sure the answer to? Which ones? Explain what information you thought you were missing and how you arrived at the answer you ultimately selected. If you end up getting the question(s) you indicate incorrect but justify your response here, you may receive partial credit on those answers.
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