Contributors:

Jasmine Smith
Mayra Jimenez

For group work, you are limited to one partner. For credit, one partner needs to send in this completed file
through BlackBoard while the other sends in the assignment with text containing their name and partners
name, as per the example in the Intro folder and the Lab 1 presentation. Check the introduction to lab
presentation for more information

INTRODUCTION TO THE NIGHT SKY

SECTION 1: TOURING THE NIGHT SKY
Proper name of the Big Dipper

1.1

Ursa Major

Merak and Dubhe point toward:

1.2

Polaris

The bottom of the Big Dippers pan points toward:

1.3

Virgo

The curve of the handle of the Big Dipper arcs toward:

1.4

Seqinus

Bootes

Moving right to left, Orions belt points toward:

1.5

Sirius

Moving left to right, Orions belt points toward:

1.6

Albedara

Rigel and Betelgeuse point toward:

1.7

Gemini

Taurus

SECTION 2: CONSTELLATIONS AND PLANETS

2.1

Planet
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune

Constellation
Virgo
Virgo
Scorpius
Virgo
Scorpius
Pisces
Aquarius

Evening or Morning
Morning
Morning/Evening
Evening
Morning
Evening
Evening
Evening

Date that Venus enters a new constellation and the new constellations name
2.2

10/7/2016

Libra

Date that Neptune enters a new constellation and the new constellations name
2.3

6/3/2034

Pisces

SECTION 3: COORDINATE SYSTEMS

Azimuth (left column) and altitude (right column) of Altair
3.1

50 ,18

-32 ,57

Azimuth and altitude of Altair 1 hour later

3.2

-62, 28

-22, 10

Azimuth and altitude of Altair an additional 11 hours later

3.3

248, 07

44, 21

What does a negative altitude indicate?

3.4 Below celestial equator
Right ascension (left column) and declination (right column) of Rigel
3.5

5hrs 14 min 32.28 secs

-8, 11 05.9

Right ascension and declination of Rigel 1 hour later

3.6

5hrs 14 min 32.28 secs

-8, 11 05.9

Right ascension and declination of Rigel an additional 11 hours later

3.7

5hrs 14 min 32.28 secs

-8, 11 05.9

SECTION 4: IDENTIFYING STARS

Brightest star in Gemini
4.1

Pollux

Aldebaran, Sirius, and Rigel listed in order from brightest to dimmest

Brightest Star
4.2
Rigel
Aldebaran
Dubhes constellation
4.3

Ursa Major

Alpha UMas constellation

4.4

Ursa Major

HIP 54061s constellation

4.5

Ursa Major

Dimmest Star
Sirius

SECTION 5: RISE AND SET TIMES

STAR 1:
Rise time of Alnair (in the format hh:mm:ss)
5.1

21:45:23

Set time of Alnair (in the format hh:mm:ss)

5.2

03:59:46

Alnairs time above the horizon (in proper hours, minutes, and seconds)
5.3

17:45:37

STAR 2:
Rise time of Capella (in the format hh:mm:ss)
5.4

23:12:13

Set time of Capella (in the format hh:mm:ss)

5.5

16:35:08

Capellas time above the horizon (in proper hours, minutes, and seconds)
5.6

17:13:55

CIRCUMPOLAR STARS:
The name of a star that doesnt ever set
5.7

Dubhe

Minimum declination necessary for a star to remain above the horizon all day
5.8

SECTION 6: THE ZODIAC AND ECLIPTIC

Your birthday (at least month and day)
6.1

03/24/96

Constellation the sun is located in front of on your birthday

6.2

Pisces

Constellation the sun is located in front of on your birthday in the year 1 AD

6.3

Pisces

Are modern horoscopes based on the suns position today or ancient times?
6.4

Ancient times