Chapter 26 Computer Lab Exercise

This is to be turned in today.

This is to be done on a separate sheet of paper - NOT typed. You have sketching to do...

A. Go to the following web site.

http://www.synapses.co.uk/astro/astro.html

B. Answer the questions below by going through that website.

1. How close is Polaris to true north?
2. Explain how our latitude be determined by using Polaris?
3. The "Big Dipper" Is part of what constellation?
4. Draw the dipper, and label the two stars which point at Polaris.
5. What is the name of the star nearest the sun?
6. The "Little Dipper" is part of what constellation?
7. What is the term astronomers use for sky longitude?
8. Whether or not a star is circumpolar depends upon what?

Now click on "The Earth's Motion" at the page bottom.

9. A. Define "Zenith". B. Define Nadir
10. Where would you be standing if the stars revolved around your Zenith?
11. Why is your meridian important in observational astronomy?
12. Define altitude.
13. Define Azimuth
14. What is apparent motion?
15. What is UT?
16. What is meant by "Zulu time"?
17. In what direction does Earth orbit the sun?
18. Why can't we see all the stars in every direction all year long?
19. Who wrote the first book on astronomy?
20. What is meant by geocentric?
21. Sketch the Ptolemaic universe.
22. Why does everything appear to rise in the east and set in the west?

Click on "Next Lesson" or "Optics" near the page bottom.
23. Who made/built the first telescope?
24. List at least 3 of Galileo's discoveries.
25. What is refraction?
26. Describe how a refracting telescope works.

Check out the asteroid which barely missed us...

Spaceweather.com

Check out the Aurora Mega Gallery:

Aurora Mega Photo Gallery

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