Astronomy 110

 

HOMEWORK #4

 

Copyright © 1999 Paul Sasse (HTML-ized by H. Preston)

Use a calculator whenever necessary.

 

For full credit, always show your work and explain how you got your answer.

Be careful about units!

 

Please CIRCLE or put a box around your final answer if it is numerical.

 

If you wish, you may discuss the questions with friends, but please turn in your own hand-written solutions, with questions answered in your own way.

 

  1. Describe where one should look to find objects with the following coordinates.

    2. (e.g. high in the northwest.)

    1. A = 35o, h = 70o
    2. A = 280o, h = 15o
    3. A = 120o, h = 40o
    4. A = 200o, h = 60o

     

  2. Draw a celestial hemisphere and label the cardinal points and zenith. Next, draw the vertical circle and star with the following coordinates: A = 245o, h = 30o.

    3.  

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  3. If you see a star rising, describe what will happen to the values of altitude and azimuth for that star until it sets.

    4.  

     

  4. If you lived at a latitude of 25o North…

 

  1. what would be the meridian altitude of the NCP?

    2.  

     

  2. what would be the meridian altitude of the celestial equator?

 

 

5)If a star has a rising azimuth of 60o…

 

  1. at what azimuth will it set?

    2.  

     

  2. what will be its meridian altitude at DVC? (hint: draw a celestial hemisphere with the celestial equator drawn in and then draw the diurnal circle of the star and estimate)

 

 

 

6) If a star rises due east (A = 90o)….

 

  1. where will that star transit if you live at the equator?

    2.  

  2. where will that star set?

c) how long will that star be above the horizon?

 

 

7) If you go out tonight and see Betelgeuse in transit at 8 p.m…..

 

  1. where will Betelgeuse be at 11 p.m.?

  2. where will Betelgeuse be at 8 a.m.?

    3.  

  3. where should Betelgeuse be at 8 p.m. tomorrow?

    4.  

  4. if your answer to c) is different than tonight’s location, why is this?

 

8) The celestial sphere

  1. Where on Earth do you have to be in order to see the celestial equator passing straight overhead?

    2.  

  2. From this location, where would the north celestial pole appear to be?

    3.  

  3. Would any stars be "circumpolar" as viewed from this location?

 

 

9) You look toward the western horizon and see a star setting at 10 p.m.

 

  1. at approximately what time will that same star set one month later as viewed from the same location?

    2.  

  2. where will that same star be in 1 month at 10 p.m.?

    3.  

     

  3. where will that same star be in 6 months at 10 p.m.?

 

10) What are the pros and cons of the Horizon Coordinate System (altitude and azimuth)?

 

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