Abstract
At Baker Observatory, we observed the moon and other objects in the night sky using an eight-inch primary mirror telescope. These objects were observed and information about them from both the lab night and previous research were recorded.
Introduction
After using the telescopes to find objects in the night sky in Baker Lab #2, we returned to the observatory to scope out and observe an additional object. This time, we focused on Earth’s moon and a binary star system. We combined our previous knowledge of the objects with the observations we made at the observatory to get a first-hand look at the universe around us.
Procedure
1. Set up the eight-inch primary mirror telescope by following the directions given by the instructor. Be sure to have one person holding the top of the telescope while the other person screws it into the base in order to minimize the risk of an accident.
2. Aim the telescope at the moon and center it in the eyepiece. Focus the lenses so the moon and its details are clearly visible.
3. Observe the moon. Take special note of the craters and maria you identify. Take a picture of the moon with your phone, if possible.
4. Record the time it takes for the moon to leave the eyepiece entirely.
5. Find another significant object in the sky, such as a binary star system or the Milky Way. It is best to use a star-finding application on a cell phone to identify an object, rather than aiming the telescope to the sky with hopes of getting lucky in finding something worth observing.
6. Observe the object through the eyepiece and make observations on its unique characteristics. If possible, capture a picture of the object.
7. Take the telescope off the stand and put it away. Collect notes for use in lab report later.
Results and Discussion
1. Identify a group of students to work with
Katelynn and Avery
6. Pick an object to observe
The Moon and M40 Binary system
a. Show what you see (drawing or picture)
b. Distinguishing Characteristics
Moon: Large, Regions of Maria and craters, very bright.
M40: Two stars fairly close together but distinguishable as two stars when viewed through the telescope.
d. Maria and Craters observed on the Moon
Mare Ibrium, Mare Serenetatis, Oceanus Procellarum, Mare Nubium, Mare Humorum, Mare Tranquillitatus, Mare Fecunditatis, Mare Nectaris, Mare Frigoris
e. Brightness
The Moon was extremely bright. Although M40 was much less bright than the Moon, it was still easily observable. The magnification is estimated at *100
Moon Description:
The Moon is the Earth's only natural satellite. It was likely formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago when a Mars-sized object impacted the Earth. The Moon was formed by material from both the Earth and the impact object. Because early astronomers did not realize that other moons existed, our moon is simply called The Moon.
When observing the Moon from Earth, we always see the same side. The surface of the Moon is composed of highlands and low-lying area called maria. The maria are the result of impacts by asteroids and later volcanic activity which filled the craters with magma. The variance in topography on the surface of the Moon is caused exclusively by these impacts, as there is not tectonic activity on the Moon.
M40 Description:
M40 is a binary star system. A binary star system occurs when two stars orbit the same barycenter. Charles Messier discovered and named this object in 1764. This system is also known as Winnecke 4 or WNC 4. This binary star system can be observed in the Ursa major constellation.
M40 has been the subject of some astronomical debate. Messier originally catalogued this object while searching for a nebula. Data collected in 2001 and 2002 suggest that this system is merely an optical double star instead of an actual binary system. This occurs when stars appear aligned by chance but are actually at different distances.
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