Lab 02
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Jan 9, 2024
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Lab 02 – Intro to the Night Sky
1.
When you were looking
north
, which way did the sky appear to rotate?
Answer:
counter-clockwise
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: Depending on whether you are gazing north or south, the Earth is spinning
towards the west or the east.
3.
***
Is Polaris (the “North Star”) located exactly above Earth’s geographic north pole?
How can you tell?
Answer: Along the axis of our planet's spin, the North Star is located about immediately
above the north pole of Earth. This is the hypothetical line that emerges from the
planet's north and south poles. The Earth spins like a top around this line.
4.
In a couple of sentences, describe what the sky looks like at the North Pole on June
21.
Answer: While looking at the sky at the North Pole you can see Polaris. As time passes
throughout the night you can see the big dipper.
5.
In a couple of sentences, describe what the sky looks like at the North Pole on
December 21.
Answer: The evenings appear longer since it is always dark, and you can see more
constellations while still being able to see Polaris. The dipper is higher than it was in
June when it was lower, and Mars is also visible.
6.
In a couple of sentences, describe what the sky looks like at the South Pole on June
21.
Answer: The moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Canopus, Sirius, and Alpha Centauri may all be
seen when gazing up in the night sky from the South Pole. On that night, they are all
clearly visible in the sky.
7.
In a couple of sentences, describe what the sky looks like at the South Pole on
December 21.
Answer: At the South Pole, Polaris is not visible when gazing upwards, but you may see
various planets at the beginning of the night, including the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter,
and Saturn. Looking up in the sky will reveal all of these.
8.
How can we explain the differences observed at the poles on those dates?
Answer: The fact that the two poles are located on different sides of the planet is one of
their differences. It simply means that at the same moment, two distinct objects will be
seen on either side of the poles. The evenings are longer in December, so you may
observe for longer and the stars can be in various 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: China Grove N.C, September 16th, 2023 at 9 P.M
Latitude: 35.540517
Longitude: -80.527741
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: When walking outside and looking up into the sky there were so many stars, I
found it very hard to be able to identify any. When looking up at the sky they all look so
much alike. I was able to come back inside and look up on the stellarium to be able to
see what should be in the sky tonight, that I was unable to see by myself. Some of the
constellations that were there tonight were the Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Camelopardalis,
Perseus, Aries, Bootes, Draco, Cepheus, Andromeda, Pisces, Pegasus, Cygnus, and
many more.
11.
Were you able to find Polaris? If so, where in the sky did you observe it?
Answer: I was not able to find it, I came inside looked it up on the Stellarium, and went
back outside to try again. Once I had a general idea of where it should be I was able to
find it, it was right between two trees in my backyard.
12.
Did you observe the Moon? If so, what phase and/or features did you see?
Answer: The moon was not visible from my location
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