Exercise #1

Astronomy Ranking Task: Motion of the Sky

Description: If you could see both the Sun and the other stars during the day, this is what the sky would look like looking south at noon on January 1 for an observer in the northern hemisphere. The Sun would appear in the sky next to the more distant stars in the constellation Sagittarius, (labeled constellation C). Also shown are other constellations (named and labeled A, B, D, and E) that will be visible above the horizon at this time when facing south.

Ranking Instructions: Starting with how the sky would appear at sunrise (6am), rank the order that the Sun will appear next to each constellation (if at all) over the next several hours until sunset (6pm). For simplicity, refer to the constellations by letter (A, B, C, etc.) rather than the actual name. Ranking Order: Constellation next to the Sun at sunrise (6am) 1 ___ 2 ___ 3 ___ 4 ___ 5 ___ Constellation next to the Sun at sunset (6pm). Or, the Sun will appear next to the same constellation from sunrise to sunset._____ (indicate with check mark). Carefully explain your reasoning for ranking this way: _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2005 Center for Astronomy Education (CAE) University of Arizona

Exercise #2

Astronomy Ranking Task: Motion of the Sky

Description: If you could see both the Sun and the other stars during the day, this is what the sky would look like looking south at noon on January 1 for an observer in the northern hemisphere. The Sun would appear in the sky next to the more distant stars in the constellation Sagittarius, (labeled constellation C). Also shown are other constellations (named and labeled A, B, D, and E) that will be visible above the horizon at this time when facing south.

Ranking Instructions: Rank the constellations (A - E) in the order that they would first appear to rise above the horizon on this day. Ranking Order: First to rise 1 ___ 2 ____3 ____ 4 ____ 5 ____ Last to rise Or, all the constellations would appear to rise above the horizon at the same time. ________ (indicate with check mark). Or, all the constellations are always above the horizon. _____ (indicate with check mark). Carefully explain your reasoning for ranking this way: _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2005 Center for Astronomy Education (CAE) University of Arizona

Exercise #3

Astronomy Ranking Task: Motion of the Sky

Description: The figure below shows the evening sky as it would appear while looking north at 9PM tonight for an observer in the northern hemisphere. Notice that Polaris, the North Star, appears fairly high in the sky while other stars (labeled A - D) appear to slowly move counterclockwise in great circles around the North Star.

Ranking Instructions: First, at the location of each star (A D) draw a short arrow to indicate the direction that each star will appear to move for the instant shown. Next, rank the stars (A D) in the order that these stars first appear in the eastern part of the observers sky for the day shown. Ranking Order: First star to appear in the eastern part of sky 1 ____ 2 _____ 3 _____ 4 _____ Last to appear in the eastern sky. Or, all these stars would appear in the eastern part of the sky at the same time. ________ (indicate with check mark). Carefully explain your reasoning for ranking this way: _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2005 Center for Astronomy Education (CAE) University of Arizona

Exercise #4

Astronomy Ranking Task: Motion of the Sky

Description: If you could see both the Sun and the other stars during the day, this is what the sky would look like looking south at noon on January 1 for an observer in the northern hemisphere. The Sun would appear in the sky next to the more distant stars in the constellation Sagittarius, (labeled constellation C). Also shown are other constellations (named and labeled A, B, D, and E) that will be visible above the horizon at this time when facing south.

Ranking Instructions: Rank the constellations (A - E) in the order that they will be located from highest in the sky to farthest below the horizon, 6 hours after the time shown. Ranking Order: Highest in sky 1 ___ 2 ____ 3 ____ 4 ____ 5 ____ Farthest below horizon. Or, all will remain at the locations shown above 6 hours later. ________ (indicate with check mark) Carefully explain your reasoning for ranking this way: _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2005 Center for Astronomy Education (CAE) University of Arizona

Exercise #5

Astronomy Ranking Task: Motion of the Sky

Description: The figure below shows the evening sky as it would appear while looking north at 9PM tonight for an observer in the northern hemisphere. Notice Polaris, the North Star, appears fairly high in the sky while other stars (labeled A - D) appear to slowly move counterclockwise in great circles around the North Star.

Ranking Instructions: First, at the location of each star (A D) draw a short arrow to indicate the direction that each star will appear to move for the instant shown. Next, rank the stars (A D) in order of the number of hours (from greatest to least) that each star is above the horizon during each 24 hour day. Ranking Order: Greatest number of hours above horizon 1 ____ 2 _____ 3 _____ 4 _____ Least number of hours above horizon. Or, all the stars are above the horizon the same number of hours per day. ________ (indicate with check mark). Carefully explain your reasoning for ranking this way: _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2005 Center for Astronomy Education (CAE) University of Arizona