Baker Lab 1

Philip Goudeau

AST 115 Lab Report

Baker Observatory

Abstract:

Constellations were observed. Findings were recorded

Introduction:

Space and the things in space are hard to see well with the naked eye. But now telescopes exist. They make this a lot easier. Below are my findings.

Procedures:

1. A free mobile phone app, StarChart, was used to identify many of the visible constellations in the night sky.
• The Constellations of the Zodiac were also located.
2. The moon was then located
• The approximate altitude and azimuth were found and recorded.
• The approximate angular diameter of the moon was found and recorded.
• Some surface features of the moon were located and recorded.
3. Visible Planets were located.
• The approximate altitude and azimuth were found and recorded.
4. The Orion Nebula and the Andromeda Galaxy were found.
• Observations were made
5. The Milky Way Galaxy was not visible.
6. Five Bright stars were located.
• Observations about them were made and recorded.
7. Polaris was found
• Observations were made and recorded.

Recorded Records:

Majority of these observations were made from around 9:30PM - 10:30PM

1)

Many of the constellations were observed. Few were recorded.

Notably: Unicorn, Crab, Taurus, Leo, Gemini, and Orion.

2)

The Moon was in the Waning Gibbous phase.

Its approximate altitude would have been 214 degrees and azimuth about 75 degrees.

Its approximate angular diameter would be about 2 degrees

It was noticed that it was more difficult to see the stars next to the moon. This would be due to the moon’s brightness. It was bright.

The Messier crater was visible along with the Mare Serenitatis and the Mare nubium.

3)

The only planet identifiable this evening (9:44PM ) was Jupiter.

Its approximate altitude would be near 100 degrees.

Its approximate azimuth would be around 25 degrees.

4)

The Andromeda Galaxy and the the Orion Nebula looked a bit fuzzy.

Andromeda Galaxy:

Altitude - about 30 degrees

Azimuth - about 245 degrees

Orion Nebula:

Altitude - about 30 degrees

Azimuth - about 225 degrees

The light of the Andromeda Galaxy appeared sort of dim/faint.

This is probably because it’s so far away.

5)

Star observations (10:00PM)

Sirius [Az: 194; Alt:34]

Procyon[Az: 178; Alt:57]

Betelgeuse[Az: 223; Alt:52 ]

Capella[Az: 299; Alt:62]

Polaris [Az: 0; Alt:37]

6)

Polaris Facts again

Altitude: 37

Azimuth: about 0

The latitude of springfield is just about equal to the approximate altitude angle of polaris. This makes sense. The latitude/altitude similarities most likely have to do with the fact that polaris is acting as our current north star.