IntroAstro 2013 - 14

Homework Set 1-A

In several of the questions we refer to the following stars

Star
Aldebaran
Miaplacidus
Deneb
Regulus
Hadar

Right Ascension
4h 36m
9h 13m
20h 41m
10h 08m
14h 04m

Declination
16 310
69 420
45 200
12 180
60 240

1. If Aldebaran is crossing your local meridian, how long would you need to wait to see
Regulus cross the meridian?
Your answer should be two numbers representing the time until Regulus crosses the
meridian. First enter a number of hours, and then a number of minutes, separated by
a space. So, for example, 2 hours and 45 minutes would be entered as 2 45.
2. Which of the stars in the table are ever visible from St. Petersburg, Russia, located
at Latitude 59 560 and Longitude 30 160 ?
Your answer should contain the first letters of the stars, in the order in which they
appear in the table. For example, if the answer is Deneb and Hadar, enter DH.
3. Which are always visible (never set) as seen from St. Petersburg, Russia?
Your answer should contain the first letters of the stars, in the order in which they
appear in the table. For example, if the answer is Deneb and Hadar, enter DH.
4. Which of these stars would be found closest to the Zenith (when it is highest in the
sky) by an observer in Sao Paulo at Latitude 23 320 and Longitude 46 380 ?
5. If Aldebaran is crossing the local meridian in St. Petersburg, what are its azimuth and
altitude? You may round to the nearest degree. (Enter your answer as two numbers,
azimuth and then altitude, separated by a blank space. Do NOT include units in the
answer.)
6. At the instant when Aldebaran crosses the local meridian of Saint Petersburg, Russia,
at what latitude and longitude on Earth would an observer see Miaplacidus at her

zenith? (Enter your answer as two numbers, latitude and then longiitude, separated
by a blank space. Do NOT include units in the answer.)
7. Which of these stars would be in the early evening sky (around sunset) on September
21 in Sao Paulo? (check all that apply)
Your answer should contain the first letters of the stars, in the order in which they
appear in the table. For example, if the answer is Deneb and Hadar, enter DH.
8. A geostationary satellite orbits Earth so that it appears at all times to be at the Zenith
as viewed from a fixed point somewhere on Earths equator. This is a very useful orbit
for communication satellites, as we will see. Which of the following correctly describes
the satellites position on the celestial sphere?
A. The satellite moves to the East along the celestial equator, traversing it once
every sidereal day
B. The satellite remains stationary at a point on the celestial equator.
C. The satellite moves to the West along the celestial equator, traversing it once
every sidereal day.
D. The satellite remains stationary at one of the celestial poles.
9. A telescope located in Durham, Latitude 36 000 and Longitude 78 000 , is aimed
due South (azimuth 180 ) at a fixed altitude of 48 . Which of the following describes
the position on the celestial sphere at which the telescope is aimed?
A. The telescope is aimed at a declination of 6 000 and right ascension given by
the sidereal time in Durham.
B. The telescope is aimed at a declination of 48 000 and right ascension given by
the sidereal time in Durham.
C. The telescope is aimed at a declination of 36 000 and right ascension 78 000 .
D. The telescope is aimed at a declination of 48 000 and right ascension given by
the sidereal time in Durham.
10. We often say that stars rise in the East and set in the West. This is less than precise.
In fact, only some stars rise (cross the horizon from below) due East (at Azimuth 90 ).
For an observer in Athens at Latitude 37 580 , Longitude 23 430 , these stars would be

A. Stars at Declination 37 580

B. Stars at Declination 23 430
C. The answer will change throughout the year.
D. Stars at Declination 0 (along celestial equator)