Download Astronomy: A Day-time Activity

Saket Singh Kaurav
Curator
National Council of Science Museums (Headquarters)
Kolkata
[email protected]
www.ncsm.gov.in
DAY TIME
On Earth, daytime is roughly the period on any given point of the
planet's surface during which it experiences natural illumination
from indirect or (especially) direct sunlight.
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Earth daylight Northern Solstice
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Earth daylight Southern Solstice
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Astronomical observations are usually regarded as night-time activity
so doing ―hands-on‖ astronomy activities during the day sometimes
arises surprise!!
There are two views or explanations of what happens in the sky.
The earthbound view — On Earth, our perception is that the sun,
stars, and all other natural objects in the solar system move around us
from east to west. We say that the sun ―goes across the sky.‖
The astronaut’s view — An astronaut looking at the Earth from space
sees the Earth rotating from west to east as it revolves around the sun.
They say that, ―it is the earth that is turning.‖
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 This apparent motion of the sky varies depending on where
your location on the Earth – THUS - Latitude or where you live is
important.
 To understand our place in space, we need to consider both
views together.
 Many educators/teachers who are apprehensive about offering
astronomy sessions at night never think of doing astronomy
activities during the day.
 Before attempting a night astronomy program it is worthwhile
to understand and appreciate some principles of astronomy that
are applicable during the day.
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© NCSM
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IIA Bangalore
SUN in different Wavelengths
Sun in Different Wavelengths
Our the SUN
About Sun
Portion of EM Wave
Wavelength
Layer
Venus Transit – June 2012
About Venus Transit
© NCSM
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Front Side
Solar Eclipses
2012 -13
Date
Type
2012
May 20
Annular
Duration
Visibility
05m46s
Asia, Pacific, N. America
[Annular: China, Japan, Pacific, w
U.S.]
2012 Nov Total
13
04m02s
Australia, N.Z., s Pacific, s S.
America
[Total: n Australia, s Pacific]
2013
May 10
06m03s
Australia, N.Z., c Pacific
[Annular: n Australia, Solomon
Is., c Pacific]
01m40s
e Americas, s Europe, Africa
[Hybid: Atlantic, c Africa]
Annular
2013 Nov Hybrid
03
Warning: Use proper safeguard to observe Solar Eclipses.
© NCSM
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Back Side
Planet-Finding Transit Simulation Kit/Exhibit
Any Star
(Sun)
Any Planet
(Venus )
lightmeter
Planet Orbit
© NCSM
Not in scale
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Observe Venus Transit on your desk
© NCSM
Not in scale
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Observe Sun (Pin Hole Camera)
Card Board
Variable
Height
Card Board
Not in scale
Image dia = (1/100)*pinhole hight +pinhole dia
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SUN: Heat or IR Light
Sun Light
Incoming light
Prism
Thermometer
Pinhole
Dispersing
Element
(Prism or
Gratting)
Violet Light
RED
IR Light
We are doing experimentation with this kit to come up with
feasible changes in temperature.
© NCSM
Not in scale
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Thermometer
Incandesce
light source
Regulator
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A spectrometer capable of seeing the
Fraunhoffer lines in the solar spectrum can be
made from a compact disk and a cardboard
tube.
Joseph Von Fraunhoffer 1814
Sees absorption lines in the solar spectrum
Each element has its own signature.
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SUN – A Journey through Time
Sun – A Journey Through Time
© NCSM
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Observe the SUN spot
 Partial Solar Eclipse
 Sun Spots
 Continuously monitoring of Sun spots about a
week can show the variation in sun spots.
 Rotation of Sun.
Not in scale
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How Day & Night happen in 24 hours.
If you hold an earth globe outdoor in sunlight so that your position
on the real earth is on top of the globe, then the north of the globe
will point toward true north. In this case the sunlight will fall on
the globe exactly the same way that it falls on the earth.
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Kepler’s 2nd Law
The Law of Areas: A line that connects a planet to the sun sweeps
out equal areas in equal times.
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Activity: Why we see one side of Moon
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Activity: Why we see one side of Moon
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Astronomical activities
1. Making Sky cross Bow
2. Measuring distances of Stars
3. Making Sundial & Moon dial
4. Making Astrolabe
5. Rotation of Moon
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