IESO Astronomy Problems (2007-2013)

INTERNATIONAL EARTH SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
ASTRONOMY PROBLEMS 2013

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7
th
International Earth Science Olympiad Student Code:
Theoretical Test
Astronomy
Time: 45 Minutes Maximum Marks: 28.5
Instructions:
1. Please write your student code on the cover page as well as on the top right o
every page o answer sheet ! calculations sheets.
". Please write your answers legi#ly. Illegi#le answers will #e counted as incorrect.
$. Please write your inal answers in appropriate #o%es in the main answer sheet.
For numerical questions, show the calculations on lank calculation sheets
!ro"i#e#.
&. 'or numerical (uestions) you may attempt part o the answer even i you don*t
+now the inal result. There will #e stepwise mar+ing.
,. -ou can get as many calculations sheets as you want. .ust raise your hand to as+
or e%tra sheets. The volunteers will #ring e%tra sheets to your ta#le.
/. 0rite (uestion num#er clearly at the top o the calculations sheet.
7. 1ead the entire (uestion group careully #eore starting to answer. Each (uestion
has a point value assigned and indicated on the right hand side o the (uestion.
2. 3ny inappropriate e%amination #ehaviour will result in your withdrawal rom the
IESO.
4ysore) India) Septem#er 11 5 16) "71$ 8Theory Test 9 3stronomy:
7
th
31. 0e list a ew acts #elow a#out temperatures at the surace o ;enus) Earth and 4ars.
8a: The yearly mean temperatures o planets do not match with their e%pected #lac+
#ody temperature.
8#: 3#solute variation in the temperature during the course o one day diers
signiicantly rom one planet to another.
8c: 3#solute variation in the temperature during the course o one year at the e(uator o
the planet diers signiicantly rom one planet to another.
8d: On some planets) there is a large latitudinal percentage variation in temperatures.
8e: 4ean temperature 8averaged over a day: on Earth is dierent on dierent days.

In the ta#le given in your answer sheet) we list a num#er o physical properties related to a planet
and its various motions) which may or may not #e relevant in e%plaining the acts a#ove. In the
ta#le) tic+ in appropriate rows those properties which are relevant or each o the acts a#ove.
<um#er o relevant parameters or each row can #e none) one or more than one.
Total $% !oints or correct tic+9mar+s.
&arnin': Every wrong tic+ mar+ has penalty o (%.2 !oints.
3". The ma%imum altitude o the Sun as seen rom 4ysore on summer solstice day and
winter solstice day are 72
o
,1* and ,&
o
17* respectively. =sing this inormation) o#tain the
inclination o the Earth*s a%is 8: and ind the latitude o 4ysore 8:. )* !oints+
3$. The mass ratio o Pluto and Charon is 2:1. The period o revolution o Charon around
Pluto is a#out /.$27 days. -ou are given that
4
Pluto
> 1.$1 % 17
""
+g) 1
Pluto
> 116, +m) ? > /./7" % 17
911
< m
"
+g
9"
the 4inimum and ma%imum distance o Pluto rom Earth are &"2&.7 % 17
/
+m and
7,"2 % 17
/
+m respectively.
8a: 'ind the length o the semi9ma@or a%is o Charon*s or#it o revolution a#out Pluto.
), !oints+
8#: 'ind the ratio a:1
Pluto
) where *a* is the distance o the Centre o 4ass o the
Pluto9Charon system rom the center o Pluto . )2 !oints+
8c: Theoretically) what is the minimum diameter o the optical telescope which can
resolve the system rom EarthA Ignore eects o Earth*s atmosphere.)2 !oints+
3&. The diagram on the ne%t page shows the BertCprung91ussell diagram 8B91 diagram:
with si% positions 83 5 ': indicated. The y9a%is is given in terms o Solar Duminosity
8D
E
: and %9a%is gives eective surace temperature 8T: o stars in Felvin.
8a: 0hich letters indicate the position o stars that have the largest and the smallest
diameters respectivelyA )2 !oints+
8#: 0hich letters indicate the stars with the same spectral class #ut with dierent
luminositiesA )$ !oints+
8c: 0hich letters indicate the stars that are primarily #urning BydrogenA )$.5 !oints+
8d: 0hich letter would indicate position o a white dwar in this diagramA )$ !oint+
7
th
7
th
Theoretical Test
Astronomy Answer -heet
31. Please see ne%t page
3". Inclination o the Earth*s a%is is
Datitude o 4ysore is
A,. .luto an# /haron:
8a: Semi9ma@or a%is >
8#: a:1
Pluto
>

8c: Giameter >
A4. 0(1 #ia'ram
8a: Star o Dargest Giameter Star o Smallest Giameter
8#: ?ive letters o stars
8c: ?ive letters o stars
8d: 0hite Gwar letter
7
th
Sheet for numerical calculations (write question number clearly)
7
th
International Earth Science Olympiad
Theoretical Test
Astronomy Model Answers
A1. Atmosphere of Planets
See table: + 0.5 points for each correct marking, -0.2 for each wrong marking.
A. !or winter solstice, a
w
" #$ % %
!or s&mmer solstice 'in northern tropical region(, a
s
" )*$ % '#$ % + (
" #$ + %
,sing these, Inclination of the Earth-s a.is, " /
o
0-
1atit&de of 2ysore, " )
o
)7-
(1.5 points for each of the four steps)
A. Pluto and charon!
'a( 3y 4epler-s Third 1aw, a
0
3
=
G(M
pl
+M
ch
)T
2
4
2
=
9G M
pl
T
2
32
2
(1.5 points)
5ence a
0
=1.9610
7
m (1.5 points)
'b( The distance of barycentre from 6l&to will be a
$
7#. (1 point)
3y comparing, a:b "
a
b
=
1.96510
7
91.19510
6
=1.83 (1 points)
'c( One sho&ld try to resol8e the 6l&to9charon system, when the 6l&to is closest to the Earth as
thats when the ang&lar separation will be highest. (0.5 point)
1et &s say we are &sing optical wa8elengths aro&nd ::$nm 'a slightly better appro.imation
will be to &se bl&e end of 8isible light aro&nd ;$$ nm(
D=
1.22
=
1.22 d
pl
a
0
15cm (1.5 points)
A". #-$ dia%ram
'a( Star of 1argest <iameter & Star of Smallest <iameter ' (2 points)
'b( ( and ) (1 point)
'c( A* + and ) (1.5 points)
(d) ' (1 point)
2ysore, India, September )) % )#, $)/ 'Theory Test 9 Astronomy(
7
th
Practical Test
Astronomy Questions
Time: 90 Minutes Maximum Marks: 34
Instructions:
1. Please write your student code on the cover page as well as on the top right o
every page o answer sheet ! calculations sheets.
". Please write your answers legi#ly. Illegi#le answers will #e counted as incorrect.
$. Please write your inal answers in appropriate #o%es in the main answer sheet.
For numerical questions, show the calculations on lank calculation sheets
!ro"i#e#$
&. 'or numerical (uestions) you may attempt part o the answer even i you don*t
+now the inal result. There will #e stepwise mar+ing.
,. -ou can get as many calculations sheets as you want. .ust raise your hand to as+
or e%tra sheets. The volunteers will #ring e%tra sheets to your ta#le.
/. 0rite (uestion num#er clearly at the top o the calculations sheet.
7. 1ead the entire (uestion group careully #eore starting to answer. Each (uestion
has a point value assigned and indicated on the right hand side o the (uestion.
2. 3ny inappropriate e%amination #ehaviour will result in your withdrawal rom the
IESO.
4ysore) India) Septem#er 11 5 16) "71$ Practical Test 8 3stronomy
7
th
1. Construct a Sundial or 4ysore 9:atitude ; <1"
o
1/* =) :ongitude ; 77
o
$$*E>. -ou can
ignore corrections due to e(uation o time.
4aterials given: a s(uare plastic #oard o si?e o &7 cm % &7 cm) a 1 metre long metal
rod) " nut #olts) a $7 cm scale and mar+er pens to ma+e Sundial mar+ings on the
plastic#oard. @se the ollowing procedure.
To ma+e a simple Sundial) you should ma+e the shadow o the rod all in the e(uatorial
plane. 'or this) push the rod through the hole at the centre o the #oard.
=ow put this device on a lat surace such that it rests on a #oard edge and one end o the
rod. The #oard should #e e%actly perpendicular to the rod. 'or this) i% the nut #olts on
the rod on #oth the sides o the #oard. The other end o rod should #e pointing towards
the north celestial pole. 0rite your student code on the plastic #oard. Show this
arrangement to the e%aminer. %& !oint'
9a> 4easure length o the rod rom the end towards the =orth Celestial Pole to the #oard
and write on the answer sheet. 4ar+ =orth acing and South acing sides o the
#oard with letters ( and ) respectively. %3 !oints'
9#> 4ar+ lines showing the direction o the shadow o the rod on the #oard or the
winter solstice day. 4a+e mar+ings or every " hours. %4 !oints'
9c> 4ar+ the similar lines or summer solstice day. %3 !oints'
9d> 0here do you e%pect the shadow o the rod will #e seen on the e(uino% daysA 0rite
answer as = 9=orth side> ! S 9South side> ! B 9#oth sides> ! C 9neither side>.%& !oint'
". -ou are given a s+y map which shows s+y or "& hours % 1"7 degrees. -ou are also given
a list o all constellations with their I3@ designations. 3ssume that today is the date o
closing ceremony i.e. 16
th
Septem#er "71$ and you are told that it is a ull moon day.
%* !oints each'
9a> 4ar+ the Celestial E(uator on the map at appropriate place. Denote it with letter *Q*.
9#> 4ar+ the Ecliptic 9apparent path o the Sun over one year> on the map at appropriate
place. Denote it with letter *+*.
9c> 4ar+ the Sun*s position on the map or the noon o given day. Denote it with letter
*)*.
9d> 4ar+ the 4oon*s position on the map or the noon o given day. Denote it with letter
*M*.
9e> 0rite the three letter I3@ code o the constellation you will o#serve on the ?enith at
the time o 4oonrise. 4ar+ the position o the ?enith on the map as *,*.
9> 0rite the three letter I3@ code o the constellation you will o#serve on the nadir at
the time o 4oonrise. 4ar+ the position o the nadir on the map as *(*.
7
th
$. Picture 1 shows star trails captured #y an 3stronomy Olympiad student.
9a> Identiy constellation9s> in the picture. 0rite the three letter I3@ code o the
constellation9s> in your answer sheet. There are more than one constellations ! parts
o constellations visi#le in the picture. Identiy as many as you can. %4 !oints'
9#> 0rite the letters rom the ollowing ta#le) corresponding to the stars) i they are
present in the picture. %* !oints'
3. Dene#
B. 1igel
C. Spica
D. Du#he
E. 3lgol
'. 1egulus
E. Dene#ola
F. 4i?ar
I. Betelgeuse
9c> :et us assume that stars num#ered as 1 and " have nearly the same 1ight 3scension
91.3.> 'ind e%posure time o the photograph. %4 !oints'
Picture 1: Photo Credit: 4r. Chiraag .uwe+ar. Ta+en on ",!7$!"71"
7
th
-ist o. /onstellations with IA0 /o#es
(o$ /onstellation /o#e (o$ /onstellation /o#e (o$ /onstellation /o#e
1 3ndromeda 3nd $1 Cygnus Cyg /7 Orion Ori
" 3ntlia 3nt $" Delphinus Del /1 Pavo Pav
$ 3pus 3ps $$ Dorado Dor /" Pegasus Peg
& 3(uarius 3(r $& Draco Dra /$ Perseus Per
, 3(uila 3(l $, E(uuleus E(u /& Phoeni% Phe
/ 3ra 3ra $/ Eridanus Eri /, Pictor Pic
7 3ries 3ri $7 'orna% 'or // Pisces Psc
2 3uriga 3ur $2 Eemini Eem /7 Pisces 3ustrinus Ps3
6 Bootes Boo $6 Erus Eru /2 Puppis Pup
17 Caelum Cae &7 Fercules Fer /6 Py%is Py%
11 Camelopardalis Cam &1 Forologium For 77 1eticulum 1et
1" Cancer Cnc &" Fydra Fya 71 Sagitta Sge
1$ Canes Genatici CGn &$ Fydrus Fyi 7" Sagittarius Sgr
1& Canis 4aHor C4a && Indus Ind 7$ Scorpius Sco
1, Canis 4inor C4i &, :acerta :ac 7& Sculptor Scl
1/ Capricornus Cap &/ :eo :eo 7, Scutum Sct
17 Carina Car &7 :eo 4inor :4i 7/ Serpens Ser
12 Cassiopeia Cas &2 :epus :ep 77 Se%tans Se%
16 Centaurus Cen &6 :i#ra :i# 72 Taurus Tau
"7 Cepheus Cep ,7 :upus :up 76 Telescopium Tel
"1 Cetus Cet ,1 :yn% :yn 27 Triangulum Tri
"" Chamaleon Cha ," :yra :yr 21 Triangulum 3ustrale Tr3
"$ Circinus Cir ,$ 4ensa 4en 2" Tucana Tuc
"& Colum#a Col ,& 4icroscopium 4ic 2$ @rsa 4aHor @4a
", Coma Berenices Com ,, 4onoceros 4on 2& @rsa 4inor @4i
"/ Corona 3ustralis Cr3 ,/ 4usca 4us 2, Gela Gel
"7 Corona Borealis CrB ,7 =orma =or 2/ Girgo Gir
"2 Corvus Crv ,2 Octans Oct 27 Golans Gol
"6 Crater Crt ,6 Ophiucus Oph 22 Gulpecula Gul
$7 Cru% Cru
7
th
This is colour inverted copy o the central part o the picture in the (uestion paper.
Practical Test
Astronomy Answer )heet
1. Sundial
9a> :ength o the rod ; 9d>
". 9e> I3@ code ;
9> I3@ code ;
$. Star Trails
9a> Constellation =ames
9#> Star :etters
9c> E%posure time ;
7
th
7
th
Sheet for numerical calculations (write question number clearly)
7
th
Practical Test
Astronomy Model Answers
1. Sundial
Length of the rod from end to the board = .! cm "7.# cm$
%. "e$ I&' code ( Oph ")e *ill also accept Her - !.7#$
"f$ I&' code ( Lup ")e *ill also accept Ori - !.7#$
+. Star Trails
"a$ UMa "1.# points$, CVn "1 point$, Leo, LMi, Dra "!.# point each$
"b$ Star Letters D, H
"c$ E-posure time = 30 minutes
Numerial Calulations
!uestion "#
$a% &s the rod should point to ./P, length of the rod on the ground side should be
- = %! 0 tan "$ = 1% cm, *here is the latitude.
Thus, the length on the other side is .! cm. "may be 7.# cm, gi2en plastic board is !.# cm thic3$
$& points%
4ar3ing . and S $" point%
$'% *inter solstice mar3ings should be on side mar3ed by S $" point%
4ar3ing local noon shado* line $0() points%
Symmetric mar3ings for other lines at +! degrees $0(* points eah%
$% 5ealising that Summer Solstice mar3ings *ill be on the other side of the board $"(+ points%
&ctual mar3ings for Summer Solstice $"(+ points%
"d$ 6 $" point%
!uestion 3 $%
/onnecting start and end points for trails of a fe* stars "at least +$ and dra*ing their perpendicular
bisectors to find ./P $"(+ points%
4easuring the angle subtended by these trails at the ./P as 7.# degrees "781 degrees accepted$
$" point%
Estimating e-posure time as +! minutes $"(+ point%
4ysore, India, September 11 ( 11, %!1+ Practical Test 8 &stronomy
7
th
4ysore, India, September 11 ( 11, %!1+ Practical Test 8 &stronomy



IESO 2012 Written TEST ASTRONOMY
Name_____________________________ Nationality __________________________
1. The duration of spring and summer in the southern hemisphere is 178.7 days, whilst the
duration of autumn and winter is 186.5 days (the opposite is valid for the northern
hemisphere). This apparently strange fact is related to: (1.pt)
(A) The magnetic field of the Sun affects the velocity of the Earth when it approaches the
perihelion
(B) The fact that the Earth changes its velocity in accordance to Keplers Second Law
(C) The precession of the Earth
(D) The Earth is in its perihelion in July
2. If you were at the North Pole, Polaris would be ... (1.pt)
(A) at your zenith
(B) at your northern horizon
(C) below the horizon
(D) It depends on the time of day
3. The magnifying power of a (refracting) telescope can be calculated ...(1.pt)
(A) using sophisticated computer simulations
(B) from the focal lengths of the two lenses
(C) from the diameters of the two lens
(D) from the price of the telescope
4. For similar tidal amplitudes in different geographic locations, the surface of beach covered
by the water during each tidal cycle is related to: (1.pt)
(A) The absolute value of low tide above mean sea level
(B) The slope of the beach
(C) The influence of local winds on the tide
(D) The influence of the local temperature
5. Right ascension is the sky's equivalent to the Earth's ... (1.pt)
(A) Latitude
(B) Longitude
(C) Altitude
(D) Meridian
6. Azimuth is the ___?(1.pt)
(A) angle, measured in degrees, above the nearest horizon
(B) horizontal direction (angle) or bearing of an object in the sky
(C) point in the sky (on the "celestial sphere") directly overhead
(D) great circle on the celestial sphere that passes through your zenith and also through both
celestial poles
7. If your latitude is 30 , what is the most southerly declination of a star to be circumpolar?
(2.pt)
(A) +90
(B) +60
(C) +30
(D) -30
8. The amount of light that a telescope can collect is limited by the telescope's ...(1.pt)
(A) chromatic aberration
(B) focal point
(C) aperture
(D) eyepiece
9. What is the correct term for the time taken for any object in the Solar System (such as the
Moon) to return to the same position relative to the Sun as seen from Earth? (1.pt)
(A) year
(B) solar time
(C) sidereal period
(D) synodic period

10. The color of a star is mainly due to its ...(1.pt)
(A) surface temperature
(B) composition
(C) distance
(D) twinkling
11. A superior planet can be seen to retrograde when it is near ...(1.pt)
(A) conjunction
(B) quadrature
(C) opposition
(D) the Moon
12. When a planet is less than one astronomical unit (AU) from Earth AND shares the same
AR as the Sun, that planet must be ...(1.pt)
(A) Venus
(B) Mercury
(C) at superior conjunction
(D) at inferior conjunction

13. An inferior planet at its greatest eastern elongation is best seen ...(2.pt)
(A) around midnight
(B) around noon
(C) just after sunset
(D) just before sunrise
14. Two optical telescopes A & B are used to observe the same celestial object. (Assume both
have the same transmission rate.)
telescope A B
diameter 25 cm 100 cm
To obtain the same number of photons, what would be the exposure of telescope A to have the
same amount of photons obtained by telescope B? (2.pt)
(A) 4 times
(B) 8 times
(C) 16 times
(D) 32 times
15. The star Alpha Centauri is approximately 4.0x10
13
km away from Earth. If Alpha Centauri
moves closer like the Moon (about 4.0 x10
5
km away), about how much brighter is Alpha
Centauri than before? (2.pt)
(A) 10
8
times
(B) 10
12
times
(C) 10
16
times
(D) 10
24
times
16. If the Sun set below your western horizon about 6 hours ago, and the Moon is barely
visible on the eastern horizon. Which phase of the Moon would this be? (2.pt)
(A) Full Moon
(B) First Quarter
(C) New Moon
(D) Third Quarter
17.If we have our own aircraft and want to fly directly from Albany, Australia (351 South,
11753 East) to Olavarria (3652South, 605 West), with shortest distance, we will pass
through the following region: (2.pt)
(A) Antarctic
(B) South Africa
(C) Hawaii
(D) New Zealand
18. Dating impact craters
From time to time, the planets are struck by bodies coming from the space. The impact of
these bodies on Mercurys surface results in circular structures known as an impact
craters. The superimposing relationships between craters provide a useful tool for relative
dating of these structures. Please carefully analyze the photo below. Which of the options
below is the correct sequence from oldest to youngest? : (2.pt)

(A) A - B - C
(B) A - C - B
(C) B - A - C
(D) B - C - A

A
B
C
IESO 2012 Written TEST ASTRONOMY
Name_____________________________ Nationality __________________________

(1) The full moon was photographed using a telescope equipped with a camera whose field of view
was too small, so that only part of the moon is visible. Recalling that the angular diameter of
the moon is about 30, using rulers and/or compass, estimate the field of view of this camera.
You must write down the whole process on this paper. (10 pts)

(2) In the image of Jupiter with its moons (taken from Hubble Space Telescope on March 28, 2004),
three shadows from the Io, Ganymede, and Callisto are visible, respectively, and two moons are
visible in this image, Io in the center and Ganymede at the upper right. However, Callisto is out
of the image.

(2-1) Callisto is out of the image. On the image above, draw an arrow pointing to where Callisto
would be located. (1 pt)
(2-2) The diameter of Io is 3646 km, and the diameter of Ganymede is 5262 km. What is the scale
(km/mm) of this image. (2 pts)
Ganymede
Io
Shadow of Ganymede
Shadow of Io
(2-3). Find the direction of light from Sun to Jupiter
Refer to the image and drawing on the page below. The image, taken from the Hubble Space
Telescope is shown on the upper-left side, and the circle on upper-right side is a view from the
northern sky of Jupiter, with the circle line representing the equator of Jupiter. The diameter of
Jupiter is 143000 km.
(i) Plot a circle, C, inside the equator circle of Jupiter, showing the latitude of the shadow of Io.
(2 pts)
(ii) Plot the position of the shadow of Io on circle C. (2 pts)
(iii) Draw the line through Io to the Earth. (1 pt)
(iv) The rays of light from the Sun to Jupiter and its moons are almost parallel. The radius of the
orbit of Io is about 422000 km. Draw a circle outside the equator circle representing the orbit
of Io. (1 pt)
(v) Mark a point representing the location of Io. (1 pt)
(vi) Draw a line from the shadow of Io to the direction of Sun. (1 pt)
(vii) Calculate the distance between Io and its shadow in km? (2 pts)

To Earth



ASTRONOMY written test IESO 2011
Name__________________ Country ___________________________
1. Imagine that a new planet, named Pippo, is discovered beyond Pluto. Its revolution period is 320
years. What would be its average distance from the un in !stronomical "nits #!"$, assuming
circular orbit% _/1 pt.
a. 23.& !"
b. 30.' !"
c. &(.) !"
d. *3.( !"
2. ! person weights '0 +g on ,arth, if he goes to the surface of the -oon and .upiter, he weights/
_/1 pt.
a. more on the -oon and .upiter than on ,arth
b. more on .upiter and less on the -oon than on ,arth
c. more on the -oon and less on .upiter than on ,arth
d. less on the -oon and .upiter than on ,arth
3. 0iven your passion for !stronomy, your friends have given you a sidereal watch as a present for
your birthday. !t 10 a.m. you ad1ust it with the time of your cloc+. 2ollowing the time given by the
sidereal watch, when arriving at the railway station ne3t day to catch the ).00 a.m. train, you find
that the train is not there. What do you do% _/1. pt.
a. I wait for the train because it will be there in few minutes
b. I go home because the train has already left few minutes before my arrival
c. I wait for the train because it will be there in some hours
d. I guess the train has been cancelled today.
&. In a science fiction movie, the main character decides to loo+ for his friends4 spaceship, lost on
-ars surface, using an optical telescope placed on the ,arth. 5he resolution of the telescope is 1
arcsec and -ars is at a distance of (0 million +m. What is the minimum si6e of the spacecraft to
allow him to see it% _/1! pt.
a. 2.*0 m
b. 2*0.* +m
c. 2*0.* m
d. 2.*0 +m
7. 8oo+ing at the given stellar map, can you estimate the position of the un as seen from irius,
using the same map% _/ 2 pt.
a. yes, the un is diametrically opposed to irius in the constellation of 9ercules
b. no, the un is not visible from irius
1
c. yes, the un is diametrically opposed to irius in the constellation of "rsa -inor
d. yes, the un is diametrically opposed to irius in the constellation of the :ctans
(. !ssume the diameter of the -oon to be 20; smaller than the reality, what should the average
distance between the ,arth and the -oon be, in order to still have total solar eclipses on the ,arth%
_/1. pt.
a. 20; bigger than the reality
b. )0; smaller than the reality
c. 20; smaller than the reality
d. )0; bigger than the reality
'. 5he following illustration shows the 9ert6sprung<=ussell #9>=$ diagram for an evolutionary
trac+ of our un. 5he un currently locates at position !, but it will to move to position ? after 7
billion years. #!ssume the un is a blac+body and its current radius is '310
7
+m. 1!"@1.7310
)
+m.$
#i$ When the un evolves to ?, what is its radius% Aalculate it by using the information of the
diagram. _/1. pt.
a$ 100 times larger
b$ 7'.) times larger
c$ 12(.& times larger
d$ 17'.3 times larger
#ii$ Write your process of calculation. _/1. pt.
). 5he synodic period of a certain asteroid is )B' years. !ssume the ,arth revolution speed is 30
+mBs. !nswer with the rounded>off figure below decimal point. In the assumption of circular orbit,
find/
#i$ the period of the revolution of the asteroid #year$ _/1 pt.
#ii$ the radius of the revolution orbit #!"$ _/1 pt.
2
#iii$ the speed of the asteroid #+mBs$ _/1 pt.
TOTA" SCORE# 1$.
3
IESO 2011 ASTRONOMY PRACTICAL TEST
STOP 11
NAME:-
_______________________________________________________________
COUNTRY:_________________________________________________________
___
On Friday, September 9, 2011, you will perform 3 trials. Each trial is indiidual, but in
some cases you will hae to wor! to"ether with some of the other participants. #his is
what happens eery day in science$ you compete and cooperate at the same time with
other scientists, to "et an hi"her leel of shared !nowled"e.
ACT I: THE POLE STAR FOR MARS (60 minutes f! e"#$ %!u& f in'i(i'u")
&"!ti#i&"nts*
Materials$ %oc!et torch li"ht &red', paper, pencil, rubber
(emember that the celestial poles are the pro)ection of the "eo"raphic poles onto the
s!y. *t the present time there is a star, isible from Earth with the na!ed eye, close to
the celestial +orth %ole$ for this reason it is called %olaris. ,ut what if you were at the
"eo"raphic +orth %ole of -ars.
#he celestial +orth %ole of the red planet is not the same of the Earth. #o do the
comparison, recall that the stars are so far that the ima"inary desi"ns of the
constellations remain the same as seen both from the Earth and -ars. So the
orientation of -ars/ a0is is such that its celestial +orth %ole has (i"ht *scension 21h
10m 12s and 2eclination 342.95. #his means that is in the constellation of 6y"nus.
(i) #he most brilliant star of the constellation of 6y"nus could be a "ood choice for the
martian +orth %ole star. 7hich way the modern terrestrial astronomers indicate it. For
the -artian s!y watcher, who !nows8 _/1 pt.
a. 1 6y"
b. * 6y"
c. 9 6y"
d. : 6y"
(ii) ;oo! at the s!y pro)ected by the %lanetarium on the inner surface of the dome. *t
the <enith you hae the +orth %ole of the ecliptic. Find %olaris and thus you !now the
position of the Earth=s celestial +orth %ole. %lease notice the scale on the celestial
meridian )oinin" the Earth=s +orth %ole with the <enith$ eery step is 105. #here is the
same scale also on the >uarter of celestial meridian )oinin" -ars= +orth %ole with the
<enith. 7hat can you say about the a0ial tilt of the Earth and -ars with respect to the
+orth %ole of the ecliptic. _/3 pt.
a. #he a0ial tilt of -ars is twice the a0ial tilt of the Earth
b. #he two planets hae more or less the same a0ial tilt, but in different directions
c. #he a0ial tilt of -ars is one half of the a0ial tilt of the Earth
d. #he two planets hae more or less the same a0ial tilt, but in opposite directions
1
(iii) 6onsiderin" all the information you hae collected, can you say somethin" about
the inclination of the orbital plane of -ars with respect to that of the Earth, called the
ecliptic plane. _/3 pt.
a. #he orbital plane of -ars has a sli"ht inclination with respect to the Earth=s ecliptic
b. #he orbital plane of -ars is e0actly the same of the Earth and all the other planets
in the Solar System
c. #he orbital plane of -ars is perpendicular to the Earth=s ecliptic
d. #he orbital plane of -ars has an inclination of 145 with respect to to the Earth=s
ecliptic
2
ACT II: I+LL FOLLO, THE S-N (./ minutes f! e"#$ %!u& f in'i(i'u")
&"!ti#i&"nts*
Materials$ %encil, rubber, paper, chronometer, piece of chal!
?n the Solar ;aboratory in -odena you can loo! at the ima"e of the Sun pro)ected on a
blac!board without ris!s for your si"ht &remember$ neer loo! directly at the Sun@'.
7hen the trac!in" of the telescope pointed toward the Sun is on, the ima"e is still and
you can appreciate, for instance, if there are sunspots. 7hen the trac!in" is off, the
Sun moes until it disappears from the blac!board. Een when not wor!in", the
instrument is useful$ the ma"nification of the Sun=s ima"e allow you to measure the
time the Sun needs to coer a certain an"ular distance and thus the an"ular speed of
its apparent daily motion in the s!y.
(i) #he apparent an"ular diameter, in de"rees, of the Sun as seen from the Earth is
about8 _/2 pt.
(ii) *fter ta!in" the measurements in the Solar ;aboratory, which is the an"ular speed
for the daily motion of the Sun, in de"rees per hour, that you hae found. 7rite your
calculation process. _/4 pt.
3
ACT III: NE0ER LOO1 2IRECTLY AT THE S-N (./ minutes f! e"#$ %!u& f
in'i(i'u") &"!ti#i&"nts*
Materials$ %encil, rubber, paper, ali"ned telescope with solar filter
8 Anless you use the filters as you hae on your telescope for the practical test BB but
also in this case it is better not to loo! throu"h it more than few seconds. #his is
enou"h time as to point the telescope, already ali"ned with the celestial poles, toward
to the Sun. So you can find some >uite interestin" information about the position of
our star and the position of the celestial +orth %ole, een if it=s daytime@
(i) First complete the followin" scheme, insertin" in the s>uares the cardinal points &+,
E already inserted, S, 7' and in the rectan"les the name of the local coordinates
&*ltitude, *<imuth'$ _/2 pt
(ii) +ow you can moe the telescope, center the Sun and complete the followin"
table$
2*#E OF #CE O,SE(D*#?O+$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/0.5 pt.
SA+=S (?FC# *S6E+S?O+$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/1.5 pt.
SA+=S 2E6;?+*#?O+$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/1 pt.
6E;ES#?*; +O(#C %O;E *;#?#A2E$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/1 pt.
1
;*#?#A2E OF -O2E+*$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/1 pt.
ACT II PLAN 3: THE STARS LOO1 2O,N (./ minutes f! e"#$ %!u& f
Materials$ %encil, rubber
8 *nd you loo! up all the same@ Anluc!ily, the weather is not fine, but you can see the
stars$ o!, it is only a drawin" on your wor!sheet, but these are the same constellations
and stars that will be aboe your head toni"ht in -odena BB and that those nasty
clouds probably will not allow you to see
6an you identify the constellation indicated by the numbers.
1 is$_/1 pt.
a. ;ibra
b. Dir"o
c. Scorpius
2 is$_/1 pt.
a. 6assiopeia
b. %erseus
c. %e"asus
3 is$_/1 pt.
a. 2elphinus
b. *>uila
c. ;yra
4 is$_/1 pt.
a. Arsa -a)or
b. Arsa -inor
c. 2raco
5 is$_/1 pt.
a. Arsa -a)or
b. Arsa -inor
c. 2raco
4
d. Sa"ittarius d. *ndromeda d. 6y"nus d. ,oGtes d. ,oGtes
H
ACT III PLAN 3: 2ISCO0ER THE TELESCOPE (./ minutes f! e"#$ %!u& f
Materials$ %encil, rubber, paper, cloc!, ali"ned telescope with solar filter, ruler
Anluc!ily, the weather is not fine and it seems you can not use the telescope8 ,ut it
has been already ali"ned by the responsible of the %lanetarium in -odena. Iou can
find ery >uic!ly and easily some >uite interestin" information about the telescope
itself and the position of the celestial +orth %ole, een if it=s daytime and clouds do not
allow to loo! at the s!y.
(i) First complete the followin" scheme, in the s>uares insert the cardinal points &+, E
already inserted, S, 7' and in the rectan"les the name of the local coordinates
&*ltitude, *<imuth'$ _/2 pt
(ii) +ow complete the followin" table$
2*#E OF #CE O,SE(D*#?O+$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/0.5 pt.
6E;ES#?*; +O(#C %O;E *;#?#A2E$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/1 pt.
;*#?#A2E OF -O2E+*$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/1 pt.
(EF;E6#O( O( (EF(*6#O( #E;ES6O%E. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/1 pt.
J
2?*-E#E( *+2 FO6*; ;E+F#C &mm'$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/1.5 pt.
K



ASTRONOMY
Students can use the table provided in the last page for solving the problems if necessary.
A. Multiple Choice
1. Suppose you see a new planet in the night sky. Based on observations, you find that the
planet is close to the Sun, with maximum elongation of 30 degrees. Given that the maximum
elongations of Venus and Mercury are 46 and 23 degrees respectively, you can conclude that :
a. the orbit of the planet is closer to the Sun than that of Mercury
b. the orbit of the planet is located between those of Mercury and Venus
c. the orbit of the planet is located between those of Venus and Earth
d. the position of the planet can not be determined from the given data
e. all the answers above are incorrect
[1 point]

2. For an astronaut who is standing on the surface of the Moon facing the Earth, which one of
the following statements is correct?
a. The Earth will always appear as a full disk
b. The length of one day and one night is equal to the synodic period of the Moon seen by an
observer on the Earth
c. The length of the day is half of the sidereal period of the Moon orbiting the Earth
d. The duration between Earth rise and Earth set is the same as the duration between New Moon
and Full Moon on the Earth
e. The surface of the Earth facing the Moon is always the same so that only one side of the Earth
is visible from the Moon
[1.5 points]

3. How would the length of the solar day change if the direction of the Earths rotation is
suddenly reversed while maintaining the direction of revolution?
a. It would be 4 minutes longer than before
b. It would be 4 minutes shorter than before
c. It would be 8 minutes longer than before
d. It would be 8 minutes shorter than before
e. It would not change, but remains the same as before
[1.5 points]
4. According to stellar evolution theory, the Sun will evolve into the red giant stage in a few
billion years. How would the average temperature on the surface of the Earth change compared
to the present temperature, in the time when the Sun becomes a red giant with a radius of
1.1210
7
km and its temperature drops to 2900 K ? Assume that the current radius of the Sun is
710
5
km, its surface temperature is 5800 K and neglect the possible change of the albedo of the
Earth.
a. Becomes four times the present temperature
b. Becomes twice the present temperature
c. Becomes half the present temperature
d. Becomes a quarter of the present temperature
e. No change
[2 points]

5. The parallax of a star measured on the Earth is 0.05 arc-seconds. Determine its parallax if we
measure it from Jupiter (heliocentric distance of Jupiter is 5.2 AU).
a. 1.00 arc- seconds
b. 0.52 arc- seconds
c. 0.33 arc- seconds
d. 0.26 arc- seconds
e. 0.15 arc- seconds
[1.5 points]

6. If the mass of the Sun increases by two times its present value, and the planets remain in their
present orbits, then the Earths period of revolution will be about:
a. 423 days
b. 365 days
c. 321 days
d. 258 days
e. 147 days
[1.5 points]

7. If the perihelion of comet Halley is 8.9 10
10
meters and its period is 76 years, then the
eccentricity of Halley is:

a. 0.567
b. 0.667
c. 0.767
d. 0.867
e. 0.967
[1.5 points]

8. A particular spectral line of a star is observed at 4999 . According to laboratory
experiments, this spectral line should appear at 5000 . What is the velocity of this star
relative to the observer?
a. 60 km/s approaching the observer
b. 60 km/s receding the observer
c. 75 km/s approaching the observer
d. 75 km/s receding the observer
e. The star does not move relative to the observer
[1.5 points]

B. Essay
1. Some time ago, there was a rumour that the planet Mars as seen from the Earth would appear
as big as the Moon (about 0.5). The following data are given. The semi-major axis and
eccentricity of the Earth are a
E
= 1 AU and e
E
= 0.017 respectively and those of Mars are a
M
=
1.5 AU, e
M
= 0.093, and the radius of Mars is R = 3393.4 km. Determine the maximum
angular diamater of Mars and justify the rumour (answer with a RIGHT or WRONG).
To answer these you have to
a. Draw a sketch of the situation.
b. Show the formula(s) that will be used.
c. Show the calculations and the final results.
[5 points]

2. On January 15, 2010, there was an annular eclipse, where at maximum 97% of Solar disk
was covered by the Moon. At that time the Earth was very close to its perihelion. The
following data are given. The semi major axis of the Earths orbit is 1.510
8
km, the solar
radius is 710
5
km, eccentricity 0.017 and the radius of the Moon is 1.73810
3
km.
What is the distance of the Moon from the Earth ?
(Show the formula(e), calculations and the final results)
[3 points]

Table of constants and units

Constants Symbols Values
Solar luminosity L

3.86 x 10
26
Js
-1
= 3.86 x 10
26
watt
Solar constant F

1.368 x 10
3
Jm
-2

Universal gravitational constant G 6.67 x 10
-11
Nm
2
kg
-2

Earths gravitational acceleration g 9.8 ms
-2

Earth mass M
5.98 x 10
24
kg
Lunar mass M

7.34 x 10
22
kg
Solar mass M

1.99 x 10
30
kg
Stefan-Boltzmann constant 5.68 x 10
-8
Js
-1
m
-2
K
-4

Astronomical Unit AU 1.496 x 10
11
m
Moon-Earth average distance D 3.84 x 10
8
m
Earth radius R
6.37 x 10
6
m
Solar radius R

6.96 x 10
8
m
Sidereal year 365.256 days = 3.16 x 10
7
s
Solar effective temperature T

5880 K
Light year Ly 9.5 x 10
15
m
Parsec pc 3.26 Ly
Speed of light c
3 x 10
8
m/s

IESO 2010
Astronomy Practical Test
Yogyakarta, 19-28 September 2010

Plan A; Good weather
Time: 15 minutes

Problem:
Night observation using telescope with eye piece (coordinates of the
location: South 07 55.0144, East 110 34.344). Find and look carefully
Jupiter (RA: 23h 56m 32s; Dec: -02
0
0659) and Galilean satellites
a. Please select a suitable (provided) eye-piece for viewing all
Galilean satellites in one field of view
(20 points)
b. Draw the positions of Jupiter satellites with the proper orientation
on the provided answer sheet. How many satellites of Jupiter are
seen?
(60 points)
c. Give marking the N-S and E-W directions on your answer sheet
(20 points)

Plan B: Bad weather
Time: 10 menit

Problem:
1. Mark by names or numbers (1, 2 and 3) on the printed sky map, the
positions of the bright stars as listed below (15 minutes)
1. Antares (Alpha Scorpii)
(RA: 16h 29m 24.461s; Dec: -26
0
25 55.209)
2. Vega (Alpha Lyra)
(RA: 18h 36m 56.336s; Dec: +38
0
47 01.290)
3. Arcturus (Alpha Bootis)
(RA: 14h 15m 39.672s; Dec: +19
0
10 56.67)
(total point for three stars 40)

2. Draw the ecliptic line in the map and identify the position of Mars
(10 for ecliptic and 10 for Mars)
3. Calculate the hour angle of Jupiter (RA: 23h 56m 32s; Dec: -02
0
0659) in
the sky at 8.00 PM local time. (coordinates of the location : South 07
55.0144, East 110 34.344 )
(20)(5 minutes)
4. Point the telescope to the direction of Jupiter (RA: 23h 56m 32s; Dec: -
02
0
0659) and show to the jury (coordinates of the location : South 07
55.0144, East 110 34.344 )
(20)



Astronomy (total of 20 pts)
15. The diameter of the Moon is about a quarter of that of the Earth, and the diameter of the
Sun is about 100 times of that of the Earth. The distance from the Earth to the Sun is about
400 times of the distance from the Earth to the Moon. At each astronomical event, which
of the following bright shapes will be observed? Choose one suitable item from A to D.

(i) solar eclipse (0.5 pt)
Answer:
(ii) lunar eclipse (0.5 pt)
Answer:
(iii) In the future, people will be able to watch a solar eclipse on the surface of the moon.
Which of A to D patterns would the shape of the Sun be observed on the moon?
(0.5 pt)
Answer:
(iv) Under the condition of (iii), what phenomenon is seen then from the Earth? (0.5 pt)
(A) Solar eclipse (B) Lunar eclipse (C) Earth eclipse
Answer:
16. At the present time, the energy of the Sun is generated by thermonuclear fusion reactions
in the central core. The thermonuclear processes convert four nuclei X into a heavier
nucleus and also produce energy. What is the nucleus X? (1 pt)
(A) Hydrogen (B) Helium (C) Oxygen (D) Carbon (E) Uranium
Answer:
17. If the temperature inside the umbra of a sunspot is 1500 K cooler than the solar
photosphere (its temperature ~ 5800 K) outside the sunspot, let B1 be the energy flux out
of the umbra and B2 be the energy flux from the area surrounding the sunspot. What
will be the ratio, B2/B1? (1 pt)
(A) 0.004 (B) 1.35 (C) 0.74 (D) 3.31 (E) 223
Answer:
18. Circle the leap year(s) in the following list. (0.5 pt)

(A) (B) (C) (D)
1890 1972 1998 2000 2002 2100
3rd IESO Written Test
16 / 35
19. There are four celestial objects shown in the following pictures. Arrange the size of
objects from the smallest to the largest. Fill your answer in A, B, C and D. (1 pt)
( ) < ( ) < ( ) < ( )
(A) Pleiades Star Cluster

(B) Andromeda Galaxy

(C) Sun

(D) Saturn

20. Continued from the preceding question, arrange the objects according to their distances
from the Earth in the ascending order. Fill your answer in A, B, C and D. (1 pt)
( ) < ( ) < ( ) < ( )
21. If we observe the planets through a telescope on the Earth, which planets images will
appear to be similar to the lunar phase, . Circle the planets. (1 pt)

Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune
22. The celestial coordinates of Vega are R.A. 18
h
36
m
56.2
s
and Dec +38 47 1. Assume
the Sun passes the meridian at noon (12:00:00), on which date will Vega transit the
meridian at midnight (00:00:00)? Note that the vernal and autumnal equinoxes in 2009
are March 20 and September 23, respectively. (2 pts) (Show calculation with your answer)
Answer:
17 / 35
23. The following photo shows the lunar surface of the side facing the Earth. Four surface
features are marked and they are Mare Imbrium, Crater Tycho, Crater Copernicus and
Montes Apenninus. Apply the cross-cutting principle to estimate the ages of these surface
features. Determine the relative age of these features from old to young. (1.5 pts)

(A) Crater Copernicus > Mare Imbrium > Montes Apenninus > Crater Tycho
(B) Crater Tycho > Crater Copernicus > Mare Imbrium > Montes Apenninus
(C) Mare Imbrium > Montes Apenninus > Crater Copernicus > Crater Tycho
(D) Montes Apenninus > Crater Copernicus > Mare Imbrium > Crater Tycho
(E) Montes Apenninus > Mare Imbrium > Crater Copernicus > Crater Tycho
Answer:
24. Any object as large as a star will collapse under its own weight unless some other force
stops it. The Sun has maintained its appearance for a long time. Under what condition is
the interior of the Sun in balance? (1 pt)
(A) The interaction of the atoms prevents the gravitational collapse.
(B) The repulsive forces between ions prevent the gravitational collapse.
(C) The strong forces in nuclei prevent the gravitational collapse.
(D) The thermal pressure prevents the gravitational collapse.
(E) The magnetic field prevents the gravitational collapse.
Answer:
The moon
18 / 35
25. The synodic period for outer planets can be determined by the time interval between two
successive oppositions. Based on observations, the synodic period of the Mars is about
779.9 days. The Earths revolution period is 365.2564 days. What is the revolution period
of the Mars in days ? (2 pts) (Show calculation with your answer)

26. Nowadays, astronomers believe that the solar system formed from a cloud of interstellar
gas and dust about 4.6 billion years ago. The pictures below show the representative
stages in the phases of the formation. Arrange the order of the pictures to demonstrate
the formation process. (2 pts)

Figure (a). The Sun became hotter and drifted
the gas from the inner region, leaving
heavier debris revolving in orbits.

Figure (d). The protosun has begun to
shine, with a flattened disk of gas
and dust surrounding it.

Figure (b). The planets have been accreting in
their orbits.

Figure (e). The protosun formed at the
center and the cloud rotated faster.

Figure (c). A cold, slowly rotating cloud
began to contract under its own gravity.

Figure (f). The planets were formed and
orbit the Sun.
Answer: ( c ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( f )
19 / 35
27. The following diagram gives the predicted positions of the four moons relative to Jupiter.
The number 1, 2, 3 and 4 indicate the tracks of Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto
respectively. The width defined by the two lines marks the visual disk of Jupiter. The
E and W give the east and the west as view from the Earth. The ordinate marks the date.
Now, we have a photo of Jupiter and its moons taken in 2008 October but the date is
unknown. Use the predicted diagram to allocate the four moons and to estimate the date
for photography.

Answer: The photo was taken at the night of 2008 Oct. ( ) (1 pt)
The satellites are a: ( ) ; b: ( ) ; c: ( ) ; d: ( ) (1 pt)
20 / 35
28. The apparent magnitude of a star is a measure of how bright the star appears to be. This
depends on its luminosity and distance. On the other hand, the absolute magnitude of a
star is the brightness defined that if the star were 10 parsecs (pc) from the Earth, which is
independent of the stars actual distance. The table presents apparent magnitude and
distance of four stars. Calculate their absolute visual magnitude (give the answers in two
decimal places, e.g. the format XX.XX) and answer the following questions.
(i) Use the data in the table to find out which star is actually the brightest? (0.5 pt)
Answer:
(ii) Among these stars, which star has a luminosity about 100 times brighter than the Sun?
(0.5 pt)
Answer:
(iii)
Star apparent visual magnitude distance(pc) absolute visual magnitude
A 2.1 29.75
B 0.5 42.94
C 0.8 19.94
D -0.7 95.09
Sun -26.7 4.83
(Each answer in the table is 0.25 pt)
21 / 35
The 3
rd

Mentors Signature:
Practical Test - Astronomy
18 September 2009
Taipei, Taiwan

Student Name: Nationality:
3rd IESO Practical Test
1 / 11

]__j_j
To seldom speak is the essence of nature. Why the winds and storm do not last whole
day? Because the earth that manifests the winds and storm is constantly changing.

___])
Laozi Tao Te Chin 4
th
Century BC

[|j[j__________
___|_
In the south, there was a man of extraordinary views, named Huang Liao, who asked
Shi how it was that the sky did not fall nor the earth sink, and what was the cause of
wind, rain, and the thunder's roll and crash. Shi made no attempt to evade the
questions, and answered him without any exercise of thought, talking about all things.
__
Zhuangzi Tian Xia 4
th
Century BC.

2 / 11

Instructions for the practical test (Astronomy):
Please write name and nationality in English on the cover page.
The time allotted for this examination is 1.5 hours.
Write your answers legibly. Illegible answers will not be graded.
Keep your answers short and focus on the key points.
Write your answers on the white test booklet provided. There is no separate
answer sheet.
You can use the calculator provided to perform the calculation.
You may respond to questions either in English, your native language, or a
combination of both.
Read the entire question group carefully before starting to answer.
Each question has a point value assigned, for example, (1 pt).
For some questions, you may be asked to provide your answer on the figures.
Please do so carefully.
Any inappropriate examination behavior will result in your withdrawal from
IESO.

3 / 11

1. The rotation of the Sun
There are sunspots on the solar surface. They can be used to calculate the rate of the solar rotation,
based on a sunspots motion on the surface. The following figure shows the sunspots during June
30 - July 6, 2006 taken from the SOHO satellite images (listed in the following table). The
longitude is marked on the solar disc.
Date Time(h:m) Date Time(h:m)
6/30 17:36 7/04 18:05
7/01 19:02 7/05 17:36
7/02 17:36 7/06 20:12
7/03 17:36

4 / 11

(1) Lets set June 30, 00:00 to be day 0.000, i.e. t = 0.000 for June 30, 00:00. Record t in
Table 1. (0.6 pts)
(2) Measure the longitude of the sunspot for each date marked, and record in Table 1. (1.2 pts)
Table 1
Time t(days) Longitude Time t(days) Longitude
6/30 17:36 0.733 -42.2 7/04 18:05
7/01 19:02 7/05 17:36
7/02 17:36 7/06 20:12
7/03 17:36

(3) Using the data in Table 1, plot longitude (in degrees) vs. time (in days) on the
graph paper on the next page. (4.2 pts)
(4) Draw a line of best fit on the graph.
(i) Calculate the slope of the line of best fit (straight line). (2 pts)
Answer:
(ii) Calculate the rotation period of the Sun. (2 pts)
Answer:
Note: Include the correct unit in both answers.
5 / 11

6 / 11

2. Telescope operations
Go to the telescopes that are already set up and look for the specification of the telescope and
two eyepieces.
(1) Complete the following Table. (1.2 pt)
Telescope Eyepieces
Aperture cm Type Focal length Magnification
Focal length mm mm
Focal ratio (f/) mm
** A judge will grade how you operate the telescope.
(2) Step-by-step operation (3.8 pts)
(3) Observing the Sun (3 pts)
Warning: You must not look at the Sun through a telescope or a finder
scope without the solar filter! Otherwise it will cause severe
damage to your eyes or permanent blindness.
If it is rainy or cloudy, find any distant building, then adjust the telescope to point to
the distant building, and adjust the focus to see it clearly.
(4) Taking a photo of the Sun (2 pts)
When you have finished the above procedure, raise your hand, and the judge will let you return to
your seat.
7 / 11

3. Calculating the Earths precession
The Earth rotates as a top and Earths axis of
rotation traces out a cone with an angle shown

in

Figure

1. That means the Earths axis is moving
along a circle. This is called precession. The
celestial pole rotates about the fixed pole of the
ecliptic with a circle of radius about 23.5

and a
period of about 25,800 years.
Figure 1
Figure 2 (and a transparent sheet) is the region near Polaris. Figure 3 and Figure 4 are the star
tracks around Polaris on the nights of March 10, 1980 and May 20, 2009, respectively.

Figure 2

Star A
Star B
8 / 11

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Figure 4 The region of Polaris at May 20, 2009.
(1) Determine the position of the North Celestial Pole and mark it on
(i) March 10, 1980 (Figure 3) (2 pts)
(ii) May 20, 2009 (Figure 4) (2pts)
(2) Overlap the transparent sheet (Figure 2) with Figure 3, and mark the position of the
North Celestial Pole determined in Figure 3 on the transparent sheet using a marker
pen. (1 pt)
(3) Overlap the transparent sheet (Figure 2) with Figure 4, and mark the position of the
North Celestial Pole determined in Figure 4 on the transparent sheet using a marker
pen. (1 pt)
(4) Measure the interval, x, between the positions of the North Celestial Pole in 1980
and 2009 on the transparent sheet.
(i) x = ( ) mm (1 pt)
(ii) Use thex to calculate the Earths precession ( ) mm/year. (1 pt)
[show your calculation]

10 / 11

(5) The angular separation of star A and star B in Figure 2 (or transparent sheet) is 6195.
Use this information to calculate the scale of Figure 2, ( ) arcsec/mm.
(1 pt)

(6) Use your results from the previous questions to calculate the Earths precession,
( ) arcsec/year. (1 pt)

11 / 11



IESO 2008 Written Test 8

15. A recent partial lunar eclipse was observed during the night of August 16th, 2008. The
composite images were recorded during the eclipse from Athens, Greece, showing a
large part of the umbra (dark part of the earth's shadow). An angular diameter of the
lunar image is 31. You may need a ruler, a compass, and a calculator to answer the
questions below. (5 pts in total)

a) Using this picture, calculate an approximate angular diameter of the umbra. Show
how you obtained your answer by drawing on the figure above.
(2 pts)

b) Using the sidereal period of the Moon (about 27.5 days) and the distance between the
Earth and the Moon (about 380,000 km), calculate the approximate duration time of
this lunar eclipse. (3 pts)


16. An icy body in an elliptical orbit around the sun is observed from Earth. At perihelion it
has a distance to the sun of 40 AU, an albedo of 0.6 and a magnitude of 20. At aphelion
it has a distance to the sun of 60 AU and an albedo of 0.7. What magnitude do you
expect the icy body to have at aphelion? Draw a diagram and show all calculations.
(4 pts)

17. Sean is in Manila and driving his car to the north at noon. He has trouble seeing the car
moving in front of him because the sun's rays are reflected from the back window glass
and the glare is in his eyes. The back window glass of the car A forms an angle with the
ground of 52 18as shown in the picture below. The arrow AB is parallel to the ground. .
(6 pts in total)


a) In this situation, what is the altitude of the sun? (2 pts)

b) The latitude of Manila is 14 36 N. What is the declination of the sun on this date.
(2 pts)

c) Estimate the dates when this situation occurs. (2 pts)

18. The Orionid meteor shower radiant can be found in RA 6
h
20
m
and Dec +16 as
indicated in the map below: (5 pts in total)

a) If the sun is at RA 13
h
45
m
and Dec -10 45', at what time will the radiant transit?
Assume that both the equation of time and the standard correction due to latitude are
equal to zero. (3 pts)

b) At what latitude should an observer be for the radiant to pass exactly at his/her zenith?
(2 pts)

IESO 2008 Practical Test 7
5. This set of questions tries to show the Keplers third law using the images of Uranus and its
moons. Figure (1) shows the images of Uranus taken by Hubble Space Telescope in 1997,
and the time interval between left and right images was 90 minutes. There are 8 moons
revolving around Uranus as seen in the images.

Figure (1) The images of Uranus
In order to figure out the motion of these 8 moons, the two images in Figure (1) were
overlapped and combined to form a single image shown in Figure (2). Assume that the
orbits of the 8 moons are circular and lying on the same plane with the same inclination
angle. (Note: you are observing the plane of the circular orbits from an angle so that they
appear as ellipses.) Using a ruler, a protractor and a compass, measure the radius of each
orbit (R) in mm and estimate the period of revolution (T) of each orbit in hours. Note that
the periods of all 8 moons are less than 24 hours. The procedure below described by steps
a) to g) on the next page was used to find the information that is in Table 1. Use the same
procedure to complete Table 1. (3 pts total)

Figure (2) The motion of Uranus moons

a) Find the center of Uranus and mark it as the origin of an x and y axis.
b) Find the observed elliptical orbit of Portia using its track in figure (2).
c) Draw the approximate elliptical orbit on figure (2).
Note: Keep the center of ellipse at origin.
d) Draw the circular orbit from the observed ellipse orbit found in steps b) and c).
Note: Keep the length of the semi major axis in the ellipse to be the same as the radius
of the circular orbit.
e) Find the first and the second positions (90 minutes apart) of Portia at the circular orbit
you drew.
Note: Draw perpendicular lines from the y axis, passing through Portias two images in
figure (2). Find two points on the circular orbit by intersecting these two perpendicular
lines with the circular orbits.
f) Find the angular difference between the two points in the circular orbit.
Note: Draw two lines from the origin to the two points you found in step e).
g) Calculate the orbital period in hours.
Note: The two images were taken 90 minutes apart.

1) Complete the table below for both Portia and Puck (2 pts)

Table 1
Moons
R(mm)
radius of
circular
orbit
Angular
difference()
in 90 minutes
T(hour)
Period of orbit
R
3
T
2
Belinda 54 34 15.88 157464 252.2
Bianca 41
Cressida 44.5 44.2 12.22 88121 149.3
Desdemona 45 43 12.56 91125 157.7
Juliet 46.5 41 13.17 100545 173.5
Portia
Puck
Rosalind 50 38 14.21 125000 201.9
2) Plot a graph to show Keplers third law. On the graph paper, plot the data points on
Table 1 showing the relationship of R
3
and T
2
of the 7 moons. Draw the best straight
line that fits Keplers third law in your graph. (0.5 pt)
3) Estimate the period of Bianca using graph made in question 2). [The radius of Biancas
circular orbit is 41 mm.] (0.5 pt)

6. Telescope Practical Section

1) Operation (3 pts)
Please go to the station where parts of telescopes can be found. Take one set of telescope
parts and set it up as following steps.
** A proctor will evaluate how you set up the telescope.
a) Mount the telescope to the tripod firmly. (0.5 pt)
b) Adjust the tripod, set the equatorial mount oriented to the north. (0.5 pt)
[See the direction mark on the ground]
c) Adjust the tripod using the bubble level on it. (0.5 pt)
d) Adjust the angle of the equatorial mount based on the latitude of Manila, 14 36.(0.5 pt)
e) Balance the main telescope with the weight. (0.5 pt)
f) Balance the telescope parts which consist of the main telescope, the finder, and the eyepiece.
(0.5 pt)

2) Find the the diameter and focal length of the main telescope and complete Table 2 (2 pts)
Diameter of main telescope = ( ) cm
Focal length of main telescope = ( ) mm
Table 2.
eyepiece magnification
Or 6 mm
Or 12 mm
K 25 mm

When you finish questions above, please raise your hand and the proctor will let you go back
to your seat.

3) Usually, the pupil of human eye will enlarge to 8 mm in a dark place for about 15-20 minutes.
If a person observes a faint star with magnitude 6.0, what magnitude of a heavenly object can
he/she observe with this telescope? (1 pt)



VI. On a clear day and night, a person in the northern hemisphere wants to observe celestial objects in
the southern sky. Answer the questions using the figure and the data below. [10 pts]

1. Canopus: Right Ascension (R.A.) = 06
h
24
m
,
Declination (Dec.) = -52.7(2000.0)
2. Vernal Equinox: March 21st.
Autumn Equinox: September 23rd.
3. The Sun's meridian transit occurs at 12 noon.

1) Mark the Sun's location on March 21st in the above figure. (2 pts)

2) What is the observer's latitude if he/she saw Canopus in 3 highest altitude above the horizon
during the whole year, at the time of meridian transit. Show your calculations. (4 pts)

3) If someone wants to observe Canopus at the time of its meridian transit at 9 pm, which is the best
day, i.e., month and day? Show your calculations. (4 pts)

VII. Figure 1 shows the four positions of the Earth orbiting around the Sun, whereas Fig. 2 displays
the path of the Sun projected on the celestial hemisphere. [10 pts]

Fig. 1. The Earth around the Sun

Fig. 2. The path of the Sun projected on the celestial hemisphere.

1) Briefly describe the changes of the Sun's altitude at noon observed by a person at 40 north
latitude when the Earth is at positions A, B, C, and D. (4 pts)

Astronomy
Figure 1 shows a typical reflector, and Figure 2, a refractor. Tables 1 and 2 are basic
specifications of two small telescopes and a CCD camera, which are commonly used in
astronomical observations.

Figure 1. Reflector Figure 2. Refractor

Table 1. Basic specifications of the reflector (Figure 1) and the refractor (Figure 2).
Specifications Reflecting Telescope Refracting Telescope
Optical System Newtonian Achromatic Multi-coated lens
Aperture 200 mm 125 mm
Focal Length 900 mm 1200 mm
Mount German Equatorial German Equatorial

Table 2. Specifications of the CCD camera.
Array (pixels) 10241024
Pixel size (m) 24
Digital resolution 16-bit
Dark current 1e/pixel/sec at -20
Dynamic range 86 db

Referring to the tables and figures above, answer the following questions.

1) Fill in each blank with the most appropriate letter from (A) to (L), which indicates each
part of the telescopes (24 points).

Reflector Refractor
Finder Scope
Balance Weight
Optical Tube
Eye piece
Objective Lens/Mirror
Polar Axis

2) Calculate the focal ratios (f-ratios or f-numbers) of the two telescopes. Show your
calculations. (26 points).

3) What is the ratio of the light-gathering power of the two telescopes? Show your
calculations. (20 points)

4) What is the ratio of the theoretical resolving power of the two telescopes? Show your
calculations. (10 points).

5) If you take an image of the Moon at the primary focus of the reflector, calculate the
diameter of the Moons image. Do the same calculation for the refractor. (Note: Assume that
the angular diameter of the Moon is 0.5.) (20 points).

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