Assignment - Solar Observing Worksheet | ASTR 121, Assignments of Astronomy

Material Type: Assignment; Class: The Solar System; Subject: Astronomy; University: University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign; Term: Spring 2005;

Typology: Assignments

Pre 2010

Uploaded on 03/10/2009

koofers-user-nw8
koofers-user-nw8 🇺🇸

9 documents

1 / 3

Toggle sidebar

This page cannot be seen from the preview

Don't miss anything!

bg1
Astro 121 Solar Obs erving Worksheet 3/30/05
Astronomy 121: Day Observing Worksheet
(due in Section or with Homeworks)
Note: Do not look directly at the Sun!!!
Name:_________________________
Signature of TA leading the Solar Observing:______________________
1. What is the date and time of your observations? What are the sky
conditions (e.g. clear, partly cloudy)?
2. Follow these instructions to determine the Right Ascension and
Declination of the Sun today. First, estimate the local sidereal time (or
read it off the clock in the dome) and write it down as the first part of
your answer. The local sidereal time is the Right Ascension of the
meridian, the great circle running north-south through the celestial poles
and the zenith. Second, find the hour angle of the Sun by reading it off
the telescope setting circles and write it down as the second part of your
answer. Either add or subtract the hour angle of the Sun from the local
sidereal time to get the Sun’s RA (remember that RA increases toward
the East) and write this down as the third part of your answer. Read the
declination off the telescope setting circle and write this down as the
fourth part of your answer. Congratulations!
pf3

Partial preview of the text

Download Assignment - Solar Observing Worksheet | ASTR 121 and more Assignments Astronomy in PDF only on Docsity!

Astronomy 121: Day Observing Worksheet

(due in Section or with Homeworks)

Note: Do not look directly at the Sun!!!

Name:_________________________ Signature of TA leading the Solar Observing:______________________

  1. What is the date and time of your observations? What are the sky conditions (e.g. clear, partly cloudy)?
  2. Follow these instructions to determine the Right Ascension and Declination of the Sun today. First, estimate the local sidereal time (or read it off the clock in the dome) and write it down as the first part of your answer. The local sidereal time is the Right Ascension of the meridian, the great circle running north-south through the celestial poles and the zenith. Second, find the hour angle of the Sun by reading it off the telescope setting circles and write it down as the second part of your answer. Either add or subtract the hour angle of the Sun from the local sidereal time to get the Sun’s RA (remember that RA increases toward the East) and write this down as the third part of your answer. Read the declination off the telescope setting circle and write this down as the fourth part of your answer. Congratulations!
  1. Will the Sun set north or south of due west today? Explain.
  2. Are you using a reflecting or refracting telescope? What is the diameter of the biggest mirror or lens in the telescope?
  3. A special setup is used to view the Sun in a way that will not damage your eyes. Draw the setup.
  4. Make a sketch of the surface features that are visible on the Sun. Do you notice any changes in these features over time?
  5. Is the brightness uniform across the solar disk? Why or why not?