Baker Lab 1: Constellations
Avery Casey
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this lab was to use the human eye, star charts, and a star/planet locator to find the constellations and study the name and designations of stars.
INTRODUCTION
As far back as 3000BC, the Mesopotamian people were naming apparent groupings of stars which we now refer to as "constellations." There are 88 constellations officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union. Of these constellations, 13 overlap the ecliptic of the Sun and, because of this, the planets are always found within these constellations. This lab examines common constellations as well as bright stars and visible planets.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Materials Needed: Starchart, A constellation chart tool, pen and paper.
Observations of constellations, bright stars, and planets were made on February 17th at approximately 9:30pm. Materials used to examine these heavenly bodies were the human eye, telescopes, starchart, and constellation chart tools.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A) Using a free app on your phone: identify as many constellations as you can that are currently visible and Find the constellations of the zodiac.
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| Rough Map of what should be visible. |
1. Constellations that were clearly visible in the night sky were Ursus major, Ursus minor, Orion, Cassiopeia, Leo, Canis major, Canus minor, and Taurus.
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| Leo constellation |
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| Canis minor |
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| Canis major |
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| Orion |
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| Cassiopeia |
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| Taurus |
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| Ursa Major |
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| Ursa minor |
2. The constellations that we observed which are part of the zodiac are: Taurus and Leo.
B) Locate the Moon, if visible.
1. The phase of the Moon when we observed it was waxing gibbous.
2. The approximate altitude was 75 degrees and the approximate azimuth of the Moon was 214 degrees.
3. The Moon could be covered with the tip of the finger at arm's length with one eye closed.
4. Because the Moon can be covered with the tip of a finger which is approximately two degrees, the angular diameter of the Moon is also approximately two degrees.
5. Stars closer to the Moon were hard to see on this night because the Moon was extremely bright on the night we were observing, making fainter objects more difficult to see.
6. Looking at the Moon, we were able to see the Messier crater.
7. While observing the Moon, we could identify the Mare nubium, and the Mare serenitatis.
C) Locate as many planets as you can and identify the constellations they are in.
1. At 9:42pm we were able to locate Jupiter at 95 degrees altitude and 30 degrees azimuth and was located in the Leo constellation.
D) Observing the Orion Nebula and the Andromeda Galaxy.
1. The Andromeda galaxy and Orion Nebula appeared fuzzy and not "star like" single points of light.
2. Andromeda Galaxy: Altitude - 30degrees Azimuth - 250 degrees.
Orion Nebula: Altitude - 30 degrees Azimuth - 220.
3. When observing the Andromeda Galaxy, the light was very faint due to the brightness of the Moon and the extreme distance between the Earth and the Andromeda Galaxy.
F) Names of Stars
| Name of Star | Altitude | Azimuth | Time Observed |
| Polaris | 55 | 0 | 9:45 |
| Sirius | 45 | 185 | 9:45 |
| Alioth | 40 | 50 | 9:45 |
| Capela | 80 | 350 | 9:45 |
| Rigel | 10 | 210 | 9:45 |
| Betelgeuse | 60 | 225 | 9:45 |
G) Find Polaris
1) The altitude of Polaris is approximately 55 degrees.
2) The azimuth of Polaris is approximately 0 degrees (due North).
3) The latitude of Polaris is approximately equal to Springfield.
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