Grab your clicker from the back of the room

Bell Work Why do astronomers often use AU’s instead of miles

Would you be interested in going to the Kennedy Space Center? It may be up to about 40 dollars

Constellations

Scale Scale Description 4 Through independent work beyond what was taught in class, you could: investigate the location of seasonal constellations in the local sky. predict location of constellations at future times. determine the celestial equator, latitude and position of the Pole Star for a given position on the Earth. determine the distances of stars in a given constellation to each other and to Earth. 3 You will be able to: describe and apply the coordinate system used to locate objects in the sky. distinguish the various methods of measuring astronomical distances and apply each in appropriate situations. 2 You will be able to: determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other astronomy specific words and phrases as they are used in context to relevant topics label diagrams with degree measurements describe how or why different units of measurement are needed for distances in space 1 You will be able to label diagrams with degree measurements list the different units of measurement needed to measure distances in space

What is a constellation? Why are constellations useful? How has the use of constellations changed over time? (write these at the top of the page… don’t leave space) Today’s questions…

Constellation: (MODERN ASTRONOMY) Internationally defined area of the sky. HISTORICALLY: A perceived pattern or picture in the sky formed by prominent stars within apparent proximity to one another. definition

There are 88 recognized (by the IAU) constellations 31 are predominantly in the northern sky kept historical names 57 are predominantly in the southern sky no ancient counterparts A star pattern that is not officially classified as a constellation is known as an asterism Big Dipper (ursa major) Little Dipper (ursa minor) Orion’s Belt (orion) Constellation Facts

Ecliptic Path along the sky that the sun seems to follow throughout the year The constellations along this line are known as the zodiac. another important imaginary line in the sky…

© Copyright 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 1.15

How long does it take the Sun to complete one circuit of the ecliptic? Question 3 a) one hour b) one day c) one month d) one year e) one decade

a) one hour b) one day c) one month d) one year e) one decade How long does it take the Sun to complete one circuit of the ecliptic? Question 3 The Sun moves around the ecliptic once as the Earth orbits in one year.

1.3 The “Obvious” View Simplest observation: Look at the night sky About 3000 stars visible at any one time; distributed randomly but human brain tends to find patterns

1.3 The “Obvious” View Group stars into constellations: Figures having meaning to those doing the grouping Useful: Polaris, which is almost due north Useless: Astrology, which makes predictions about individuals based on the star patterns at their birth

Why do constellations look the way they do? Stars that appear close in the sky may not actually be close in space

© Copyright 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 1.8

Question 2 What is the path that the Sun, Moon, and planets follow through the constellations? a) the celestial equator b) the north celestial pole c) the Milky Way d) the zodiac e) the ecliptic

a) the celestial equator b) the north celestial pole c) the Milky Way d) the zodiac e) the ecliptic Question 2 What is the path that the Sun, Moon, and planets follow through the constellations? The ecliptic also marks the plane of Earth’s orbit around the Sun.

Stars in a constellation are Question 13 a) physically close to each other. b) usually equal in brightness. c) about the same age. d) about the same distance away. e) in the same part of the sky.

Question 13 a) physically close to each other. b) usually equal in brightness. c) about the same age. d) about the same distance away. e) in the same part of the sky. Stars in a constellation are Stars within a constellation might be of very different ages, diameters, types, and luminosities.

Have one person from each group read the Polestar paper to the rest of the group As a group, answer the two questions at the bottom of the paper in your journal. (don’t worry about writing the question)