Majr assignment

Major assignment for ASTR 201: The Sun and its Planets (Worth 15% of final grade)

Due in class, Tues Nov 2

You should keep a log book of your own regular observations of the sky. Since weather in Cleveland is unpredictable, you will need to get started soon, and make observations whenever conditions are good.

If you are concerned about safety at night, make plans to meet with another class member and make your observations together.

Each time you make observations, note in your logbook the place that you are observing from, and whether it is good for observing the sky (street lights? security lights? accessibility?) Also note the time of night you are making your observations (whether it is daylight saving time or not), and the weather conditions.

(1) Identify Polaris, and three different constellations, and sketch their positions in the sky (a) at different times of night at least 2 hours apart, and (b) at similar times of night at least a month apart. For Polaris and each constellation, measure altitude and azimuth each time you observe them, making estimates using your hand at arms length as we did in class. Write down both your measurements, and your estimate of their accuracy. (for example altitude 50 degrees +/- 3 degrees)
(2) Find at least two planets, and sketch their positions in the sky (a) at different times of night at least two hours apart and (b) at similar times of night at least a month apart. Measure their altitude and azimuth, and give estimates of your measurement error.
For both the constellation and planet measurements, explain your observations in terms of the movement of the Earth and planets. Were your error estimates reasonable?

(3) Choose some other astronomical topic to make regular observations. Possibilities:

the time and position of sunset or sunrise at different times during the semester

You will notice fairly soon that Cleveland is not an optimal location for astronomy. Choose another site that you think will be better, and explain your reasons why. Will the same parts of the sky be accessible? Using one of the Web weather sites such as http://nimbo.wrh.noaa.gov/wrhq/nwspage.html, regularly monitor the weather at your chosen site and compare it to Cleveland's. Would it be a better place for astronomical observations?

If you have a camera and tripod, you could experiment with long exposures of the sky to demonstrate star trails due to the Earth's rotation.

There are now more than 20 stars known which have planets around them. How many of these stars can be seen with the naked eye, and how many of these can be seen at night during the semester? Sketch their position with respect to other stars when you have found them.