Download Using a Star Finder III

Astronomy
Name ______________________________
Using a Star Finder III
Materials: Uncle Al’s Star Finder, 3 star wheels: simple and complex; special objects and
constellations; and celestial coordinates and constellations.
Define: Declination ___________________________________________________
Right Ascension ___________________________________________________
Procedure Part 3: Using the Celestial coordinates and constellations star wheel.
DO: Using a red pencil, trace the circle at the 30o declination line.
1. Stars within this circle are called “circumpolar” for our location (60oN Latitude). This means
that they are ____________ visible in our night skies.
2. Name one constellation that lies on the red circumpolar circle. __________________
DO: Using a blue pencil, trace the circle made at the 0o mark. This is the celestial equator
which lies directly above Earth’s equator.
3. Is there any date and time at which the entire blue circle is visible? If so, when? _______
4. Below which horizon is the celestial equator always hidden? ________________
5. Name one constellation that lies directly on the celestial equator. __________________
6. Which one zodiac constellation (see other star wheel for reference) lies on the celestial
equator? ______________
7. Set the Coordinates Star Wheel for midnight on January 20.
a. Which declination line is visible right at the Southern horizon?
________
b. Which declination line is visible right below the Northern horizon? ________
c. How many degrees of sky is this? ____________
Hint: count by 10’s-- how many declination lines do you go through N to S?
d. Set the star wheel at the other solstice (June 22) and equinoxes (March 23 and
September 21). Does this change how many degrees of sky are visible?
Summarize your findings about the number of degrees of sky visible and the date.
On any date, for any time of night, you can see ________ of the sky.
Hint: how many degrees are in a semi-circle?
8. The right ascension lines are marked like a 24-hour clock. Set the Coordinates Star
Wheel for the solstices and equinoxes dates below. Which right ascension line is visible
at the Northern Horizon? Hint: It may be easier to remove the wheel from the finder to
do this.
To what time would each solstice or equinox correspond?
a. Spring Equinox, March 23 = ________
b. Summer Solstice, June 22 _____
c. Fall Equinox, September 21 = _______
d. Winter Solstice, Dec 22 _______