Transcript Astronomy Part 2

Astronomy
Merit Badge
Part 2. Covered in the cabin
on Wednesday 7-Dec-2011
Review
Counselor Name: Niels Ryde
E-mail
[email protected]
Requirements 1 – 3 and 4 in part was covered on 16-Nov-2011
Requirements 4 – 5 on 7-Dec-2011
Scouts should prepare for requirement 5b and 6
The Astronomy merit badge booklet is available in Troop 7’s library in the cabin. Many
answers to the requirements can be found there.
4.a Constellations
Identify at least 10 constellations in the sky, of which at
least four are in the zodiac.
All year round constellations (circumpolar) {Decl ≥90-Lat.}
Ursa Major, Ursa Minor,
Cassiopeia, Draco, Cepheus
Seasonal
Spring
Summer Autumn Winter
Leo
Virgo
Libra
Cancer
Lyra
Pegasus Orion
Cygnus Andromeda
Aquila Perseus Gemini
Scorpius Aries
Auriga
Sagittarius
Pisces
Capricorneus
Aquarius
Canis Major
Taurus
Circumpolar constellations
Zodiac signs
Constellations in a band (± 8 deg) around the ecliptic
№ Symbol Long. Latin name
English translation
1
♈
0°
Aries
The Ram
2
♉
30°
Taurus
The Bull
3
♊
60°
Gemini
The Twins
4
♋
90°
Cancer
The Crab
5
♌
120°
Leo
The Lion
6
♍
150°
Virgo
The Maiden
7
♎
180°
Libra
The Scales
8
♏
210°
Scorpio
The Scorpion
9
♐
240°
Sagittarius
The (Centaur) Archer
10 ♑
270°
Capricorn
"Goat-horned" (The SeaGoat)
11 ♒
300°
Aquarius
The Water-Bearer
12 ♓
330°
Pisces
The Fish
4.b Name Eight Conspicuous Stars
And five with a magnitude below 1
Star
Name
Apparent
magnitude
Alpha Canis Majoris Sirius
RA
hm
06 45.2
dec
°’
–16 43
–1.44
Alpha Bootis
Arcturus
14 15.7
+19 11
–0.05
Alpha Lyrae
Vega
18 36.9
+38 47
0.03 (var.)
Alpha Aurigae
Capella
05 16.7
+46 00
0.08
Beta Orionis
Rigel
05 14.5
–08 12
0.18 (var.)
Alpha Canis Minoris Procyon
07 39.3
+05 14
0.40
Alpha Orionis
Betelgeuse
05 55.2
+07 24
0.45 (var.)
Alpha Aquilae
Altair
19 50.8
+08 52
0.76 (var.)
Alpha Tauri
Aldebaran
04 35.9
+16 31
0.87
Alpha Virginis
Spica
13 25.2
–11 10
0.98 (var.)
Beta Geminorum
Pollux
07 45.3
+28 02
1.16
Alpha Cygni
Deneb
20 41.4
+45 17
1.25 (var.)
Alpha Leonis
Regulus
10 08.4
+11 58
1.36
Alpha Geminorum
Castor
07 34.6
+31 53
1.58b
4 c. Movement of the stars in the sky
Make two sketches of the Big Dipper. In one sketch, show the Big Dipper's orientation in the
early evening sky. In another sketch, show its position several hours later. In both sketches,
show the North Star and the horizon. Record the date and time each sketch was made.
6 p.m.
9 p.m.
12 a.m.
4 d. The Milky Way.
How to navigate the sky
To find your way in unfamiliar territory, we need a map and signposts.
The maps can be found in books or online. The signposts are in the sky,
once you know where to look.
Start with easy to recognize patterns, such as the big dipper in the
spring, or Orion in the winter and work your way outward to locate
other constellations and bright stars.
Signpost in the Autumn Sky
The square of Pegasus lies high in the south at 10
p.m. in October, 8 p.m. in November, and 6 p.m. in
December. The corners of the square are of only
moderate brightness. They enclose a relatively
large area almost entirely devoid of naked eye
stars.
To the top right lies Deneb.
Between the square and polaris (north star) lies
Cassiopeia (W shaped constellation).
A line drawn on top of the W and left brings you
to Capella.
A line drawn downward from the right side of the
square brings you to Fomalhaut, a bright star in
Piscis Austrinus
Signpost in the Winter Sky
Sirius glitters due south at midnight in January, 10
p.m. in February and 8 p.m. in February. Sirius lies at
the southern apex of the winter triangle, Procyon at
the upper left and Betelgeuse at the upper right.
Betelgeuse marks the upper left of Orion. At the
bottom right of Orion lies Rigel. Across the center
runs a distinctive line of three stars comprising Orion’s
Belt.
To the top right of Orion lies another prominent star,
Alderbaran, which represents the eye of Taurus.
Continue the line from Orion through Aldebaran
brings you to the Pleiades, a star cluster.
Above Orion, almost directly between it and the
north star lies Capella.
To the top left, above the winter triangle lies Castor
and Pollux, the celestial twins in the constellation
Gemini.
Signpost in the Spring Sky
Start with the familiar Big Dipper which is high in the
sky in early spring. The two stars the farthest away
from the handle are called the pointers.
Connect a line between the pointers upward (about 5
times the distance of the pointers) brings you to
Polaris (the north star). Opposite of Polaris lies
Cassiopeia, the W shaped constellation.
Extend the pointers in the opposite direction (away
from Polaris) brings you to the constellation Leo. This
constellation is notable for its sickle-shape of stars,
like a reverse question mark.
Now back to the Big Dipper. Follow the curve of the
handle and you will arrive at Arcturus, one of the
brightest stars in the sky. Continue the curve and you
will come to Spica in the constellation Virgo.
Arcturus and Spica forms a triangle with Regulus, the
brightest star in Leo.
Signpost in the Summer Sky
High in the sky, you will find three stars comprising
the summer triangle. In order of decreasesing
brightness, they are Vega, Altair and Deneb. Vega is
the first star to appear in the summer sky as the sky
darkens.
Deneb is the brightest star in the constellation Cygnus
(The Swan), but is better visualized as a cross. Deneb
is at the head of the cross. The foot of the cross
points to Antares, which appears low in the horizon.
5 The Planets
a) List the names of the five most visible planets. Explain which ones can
appear in phases similar to lunar phases and which ones cannot, and
explain why.
b) Find out when each of the five most visible planets that you identified in
requirement 5a will be observable in the evening sky during the next 12
months, then compile this information in the form of a chart or table.
Update your chart monthly to show whether each planet will be visible
during the early morning or in the evening sky.
Diagram shows the relative position of the plants for the date indicated below
http://www.12dstring.me.uk/fov.htm
Select calculators and then planetary orbit info
Diagram shows the relative position of the plants for the date indicated below
Diagram shows the relative position of the plants for the date indicated below
Diagram shows the relative position of the plants for the date indicated below
Diagram shows the relative position of the plants for the date indicated below
Rise and set times for the sun and the planets
Month
15-Dec-11
15-Jan-12
15-Feb-12
15-Mar-12
15-Apr-12
15-May-12
15-Jun-12
15-Jul-12
15-Aug-12
15-Sep-12
15-Oct-12
15-Nov-12
Sun
Rise
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Set
Rise
Set
Rise
Set
Rise
Set
Rise
Set
Rise
Set
7:17 16:38
5:38
15:35
9:30
18:50
23:04
12:06
13:43
3:02
2:36
13:45
7:22 17:01
6:35
15:49
9:21
20:03
21:38
10:26
11:41
1:03
0:44
11:49
6:56 17:37
7:22
18:07
8:39
21:09
19:19
8:21
9:48
23:16
22:40
9:48
7:13 19:09
7:23
20:04
8:56
23:04
17:32
7:01
9:08
22:48
21:40
8:52
6:23 19:41
5:30
17:20
8:16
23:39
15:05
4:39
7:24
21:21
19:28
6:45
5:46 20:11
5:15
19:00
7:14
22:45
13:35
2:49
5:47
19:58
17:19
4:41
5:33 20:33
5:56
22:06
4:47
19:13
12:36
1:12
4:09
18:32
15:11
2:36
5:46 20:30
7:32
21:12
3:10
17:20
11:56
23:44
2:32
17:06
13:15
0:38
6:14 19:58
4:45
18:57
2:42
17:11
11:27
22:24
0:50
15:29
11:22
22:36
6:43 19:10
7:04
19:25
3:07
17:13
11:08
21:15
22:57
13:43
9:35
20:41
7:13 18:22
9:09
19:08
4:01
16:55
10:57
20:22
21:00
11:46
7:54
18:52
6:48 16:45
7:16
16:56
4:06
15:25
9:43
18:50
17:48
8:32
5:10
16:00
Use this table to figure out requirement 5b
Study on your own
6. At approximately weekly intervals, sketch the position of Venus, Mars or Jupiter in relation
to the stars. Do this for at least four weeks and at the same time of night. On your sketch,
record the date and time next to the planet's position. Use your sketch to explain how
planets move.