EXERCISES AND DATA SHEET:

Star and Planet Locator

 

Consider only the indicated patterns of stars as individual constellations.  The meridian must cross through the indicated pattern to be passing through a constellation.  Also, more that half of the constellation must be visible or invisible to be considered for an answer.  For the purposes of this exercise assume all times to be standard time.

 

1)      Set the Star Wheel locator to 8 pm PST on March 15.

 

a.       Which constellations are on the meridian?

 

 

b.      Is there a constellation in the Zenith?  If yes, which one?

 

 

c.       Which constellation on the sun’s path is currently rising?

 

 

d.      In which direction would you need to look in order to view the constellation of Eridanus?

 

 

2)      Turn the Star Wheel locator to 1 am the next morning:

a.       Which constellations are on the meridian?

 

 

 

3)      At 8pm standard time:

a.        June 30: Which constellation appears closest to the zenith?  Which constellation on the celestial equator is at culmination?

 

 

 

b.      September 20:  Which constellation appears closest to the zenith?  Which constellation on the celestial equator is also on the meridian?

 

 

 

c.       January 15:  Which constellation appears closest to the zenith?  What constellation on the ecliptic is also on the meridian?

 

 

 

4)      The constellation Canis Major has a bright star named Sirius.  With the Star Wheel locator find for the given dates the times when the star rises, crosses the meridian, and sets.  

 

 

Rises

Crosses Meridian

Sets

May 15

 

 

 

August 15

 

 

 

December 15

 

 

 

 

                        During any given day, about how many hours is Sirius above our horizon?

 

 

5)      The constellation Lyra has a bright star named Vega.  With the Star Wheel locator find for the given dates the times when Vega rises, crosses the meridian, and sets. 

 

 

Rises

Crosses Meridian

Sets

May 15

 

 

 

August 15

 

 

 

December 15

 

 

 

 

      During any given day, about how many hours is the star Vega above our horizon?

 

 

6)      Turn the Star Wheel several times around.  Can you find any constellations that do not disappear when you turn the wheel completely around?  If yes, such constellations are referred to as circumpolar, list them.

 

 

 

7)      Set the Star Wheel locator to NOON on April 5.  Given that the Sun crosses the meridian at noon, in what constellation will it appear on April 5?

 

 

 

1)      Answer the following questions:

 

 

a.       Why do stars undergo their daily motion in the sky?

 

 

b.      Why are there different stars and constellations seen in the sky during each season of a year?