Exam 25: Celestial Timekeeping and Navigation

For the following questions,refer to Figure S1.2 which shows a portion of the sky visible in the early evenings in winter.Note that five bright stars are labeled with lowercase letters and five constellations are labeled with capitals.A few hints are also given. -Which bright star (lowercase letters)is Procyon?

Which of the following best explains why a solar day is longer than a sidereal day?

Consider the following data for four stars: -Which of these stars lies closest to the north celestial pole on the celestial sphere?

The north celestial pole appears 30° above your horizon.The star Vega is on your meridian.By studying your star charts and your clocks,you determine that Vega crossed the meridian in Greenwich (England)3 hours ago.Where are you?

For vacation,you decide to take a solo boat trip.While contemplating the universe,you lose track of your location.Fortunately,you have some astronomical tables and instruments,as well as a UT clock.You thereby put together the following description of your situation: a.What is your latitude? How do you know? b.What is your longitude? How do you know?

Which of the following explains why navigators a few hundred years ago found it much more difficult to determine their longitude than their latitude?

Choose the appropriate star from Table S1.2 for the following questions: Table S1.2 -Which star appears nearest to the south celestial pole?

For the following questions,refer to Figure S1.1,which shows a portion of the sky visible in the early evenings in the fall.Note that five bright stars are labeled with lowercase letters and five constellations are labeled with capitals.A few hints are also given. -Which bright star (lowercase letters)is Aldebaran?

For the following questions,refer to Figure S1.2,which shows a portion of the sky visible in the early evenings in winter.Note that five bright stars are labeled with lowercase letters and five constellations are labeled with capitals.A few hints are also given. -Which constellation (capital letters)is Gemini?

For the following questions,refer to Figure S1.1,which shows a portion of the sky visible in the early evenings in the fall.Note that five bright stars are labeled with lowercase letters and five constellations are labeled with capitals.A few hints are also given. -Which bright star (lowercase letters)is Algol,the "demon star"?

The south celestial pole appears on your meridian at an altitude of 30° in the south.Where are you?

Choose the appropriate star from Table S1.2 for the following questions: Table S1.2 -Suppose you are looking at the sky at about midnight on the winter solstice.Which star will be nearest your meridian? (Hint: Remember that midnight occurs when the Sun is exactly 12 hours away from the meridian. )

Suppose you live at latitude 40°N.Which of the following describes the path of the celestial equator through your sky?

What is the difference between a synodic month and a sidereal month?

For the following questions,refer to Figure S1.2,which shows a portion of the sky visible in the early evenings in winter.Note that five bright stars are labeled with lowercase letters and five constellations are labeled with capitals.A few hints are also given. -Which constellation (capital letters)is Taurus?

It's the summer solstice,the Sun is at your zenith,and you have a UT clock that tells you it is midnight in Greenwich,England.Where are you?

The constellation shaped like a W is

No matter where you live on Earth,except the poles,your meridian extends from due south on your horizon,through your zenith,to due north on your horizon.

What is the hour angle of a star crossing your meridian?

Which of the following best describes the Tropic of Cancer?