Observation Assignments – Fall 2011

 

The observation notebook will tentatively be due Friday December 16, 2011.  Complete the observations whenever you can.  If you have any problems or “can’t find something” don’t hesitate to seek help from Mr. M.  Remember to follow the guidelines described on the handout labeled Observation Notebook.

 

  1. Measure the altitude of Polaris using a quadrant.  The altitude of Polaris should approximately equal your latitude – does it?  Note:  if you go on a trip north or south you may wish to repeat this observation from a different latitude.
  2. On or about September 22 measure the altitude of the Sun at around 1:40 p.m. using a protractor quadrant.  NEVER look directly at the Sun – instead use the shadow of the quadrant.
  3. On a date late in October measure the altitude of the Sun at the same apparent time of day as previous observation (around 1:40 p.m.) using a protractor quadrant.  NEVER look directly at the Sun – instead use the shadow of the quadrant.
  4. On a date in December measure the altitude of the Sun at the same apparent time of day as previous observation (around 12:40 p.m.) using a protractor quadrant.  NEVER look directly at the Sun – instead use the shadow of the quadrant.

 

(The purpose of observations 5 – 11 is for you to follow the changing appearance of the Moon over the course of one month or more technically one lunation.  These should be made in order of occurrence though you don’t necessarily have to start with observation #5.)

  1. Observe the waxing crescent Moon.     (1 to 5 days old)
  2. Observe the Moon near first quarter.     (6 to 8 days old)
  3. Observe the waxing gibbous Moon.      (9 to 13 days old)
  4. Observe the Moon near full.                  (14 to 16 days old)
  5. Observe the waning gibbous Moon.      (17 to 20 days old)
  6. Observe the Moon near third quarter.   (21 to 23 days old)
  7. Observe the waning crescent Moon.     (24 to 28 days old)


(The purpose of observations 12 – 18 is for you to see the apparent rotation of the celestial sphere due to the Earth’s actual rotation about its axis.  In order to do this you should make a sketch showing the relative positions of the indicated stars and the horizon.  Note:  for observations that must be done at the same time of night be sure to account for daylight savings time (ends Nov. 7 this year) when necessary– for example 8 p.m. EDT Oct. 10 is the same time of night as 7 p.m. EST Nov. 10.)

  1. Observe Polaris, Cassiopeia, and the Big Dipper.  Note:  either Cassiopeia or the Big Dipper may be close to the horizon and difficult to see depending on the time of your observations – always just sketch what you can actually see.
  2. Repeat observation #12 at the same time of night at least four weeks later, noting any differences and any similarities.
  3. Repeat observation #12 or #13 on the same night (or next morning before sunrise) at a time at least 2 hours different, noting any differences and any similarities.
  1. Observe the constellation Pegasus (and the Great Square) above the east horizon in September between 9 and 11 p.m.  Sketch the Square and the horizon as it appears to you.
  2. Repeat observation #15 at the same time of night at least four weeks later (early October), noting how the orientation of the constellation has changed relative to the east horizon.
  3. Observe the constellation Cygnus (and the Summer Triangle) above the west horizon during the first week in November between 7 and 9 p.m.  Sketch the triangle (and the northern cross if visible) relative to the horizon as it appears to you.  Label Deneb, Vega, and Altair.
  4. Repeat observation #17 at the same time of night at four to six weeks later (sometime in November), noting how the orientation of these stars has changed relative to the west horizon.

  5. Measure the sidereal day!  Facing somewhat south a couple of hours after sunset, observe a bright star relative to an object fixed on the horizon and note the time of day to the nearest second.  Then on a clear night about one week later repeat the observation and note the time of day to the nearest minute when the star returns to its same position relative to earth.  Use the result to determine the length of the sidereal day. 
    (Note:  you can expect the star to return about four minutes earlier for every day later you make the second observation – for example if the second observation is 7 days after the first the star should return to its position 28 minutes earlier in the night – remember to adjust for DST/EST if necessary.)
  1. Observe and describe and/or sketch Venus.  The best dates are in late November or December.  Venus is the “evening star” just above the SW horizon.  Look for it just after sunset.  In clear skies, it will be the brightest point of light visible.  In general, Venus is the brightest object in the sky other than the Moon or the Sun and this is one way that it can be identified. 
  2. Observe and describe and/or sketch one of the planets Mercury, Mars, or Saturn.  Tips:
    Because Mercury is always relatively close to the Sun this is challenging.  Your best shot is the first week of September above the east horizon about 30 – 45 minutes before sunrise.  Or try the second week of November above the west horizon just after sunset (see table for observations 29 and 30).  Mars should be easy to see, but the best time to see it this fall is in the “wee hours” of the morning before sunrise.  It will appear as a moderately bright star with an orange tint starting in Gemini and passing through Cancer and Leo as autumn unfolds.  Saturn is not always relatively close to the Sun, but happens to be so this fall.  The best opportunities to view it are above the west horizon in early September just after sunset or above the east horizon in November or December just before sunrise.  It will appear as a moderately bright star with a golden tint near the similarly bright star Spica in the constellation Virgo.
  3. Observe and describe and/or sketch Jupiter.  It can be found in Aries, about 20º west of the prominent star clusters Hyades and Pleiades in Taurus.  Jupiter is very bright and prominent – brighter than any star in its vicinity.  It will be low in the east at 11 p.m. in September but climbs high above the south horizon as time and dates progress.
  4. Pick either Jupiter or Mars:  Observe your chosen planet and determine and label its approximate location on the given star chart.  Tape or paste this chart in your notebook.  Then repeat this process at least two more times on later dates to show the apparent motion of your chosen planet across the celestial sphere.  Note:  This page will have observations from different dates and times (and possibly different locations).  Note:  Mars is only visible either very late at night or in the morning before sunrise.

  5. Make a telescopic or binocular observation of a planet.  Sketch any details that you can see.
  6. Make a telescopic or binocular observation of a cluster, galaxy, nebula, or any Messier object.  You will need to steady binoculars somehow.  Sketch any details.  Suggestions in order of setting time:  M13 (Hercules Cluster), M57 (Ring Nebula), M31 (Andromeda Galaxy), M45 (Pleiades), M42 (Orion Nebula), M44 (Beehive Cluster).
  7. Using the projection technique, make an image of the Sun on a piece of paper.  NEVER look directly at the Sun through a telescope.  Draw a sketch showing any sunspots.
  8. Repeat observation #26 several days later – note any differences and/or similarities.
  9. Repeat observation #27 several days later – note any differences and/or similarities.
  10. Observe one of the following groupings or pairings (loosely called conjunctions):

Sept  15

9 pm thru morning

Moon and Jupiter

Sept 16, 17

9 pm thru morning

Moon, Jupiter, and Pleiades

Sept 22, 23

before sunrise

Moon and Mars

Oct 12

all night

Moon and Jupiter

Oct 13, 14

all night

Moon, Jupiter, and Pleiades

Oct 21, 22

before sunrise

Moon and Mars

Nov 8

all night

Moon and Jupiter

Nov 9, 10

all night

Moon, Jupiter, and Pleiades

Nov 10, 11, 12

wee hours to sunrise

Mars and Regulus

Nov 11 – 13 – 15

just after sunset

Mercury and Venus

Nov 18, 19

wee hours to sunrise

Moon and Mars

Nov 22

before sunrise

Moon, Spica, and Saturn

Nov 25, 26, 27, 28

just after sunset

Moon, Mercury, and Venus

Dec 5

evening

Moon and Jupiter

Dec 6, 7

evening

Moon, Jupiter, and Pleiades

Dec 8

evening

Moon and Pleiades
  1. Observe another of the conjunctions listed in the above table.

 

  1. Observe anything of interest or noteworthy not listed in observations 1 – 30.
  2. Observe anything of interest or noteworthy not listed in observations 1 – 31.
  3. Observe anything of interest or noteworthy not listed in observations 1 – 32.