1. Assignment #1: Due Sept 7
Did you observe any of the 8/21 eclipse? If not, do you know anyone who did? In either case right a short description of the experience (1 paragraph). If neither, find an article from someone describing their experience and summarize (give the reference).
From lecture 1, describe the difference between the Sun’s path through the sky in June and in December for someone living in DeKalb. Include where in the East and West horizons the Sun rises and sets and the length of the path. How does this differ from being on the Equator?
Set up the Stellarium software package as described below. Provide a photo of it setup on your preferred computer. Start it up and note the day and then fast forward of change the time to about 8:00 PM. Is the Moon already risen? If not what time will it rise in the East (point at E and use button 24 to fast forward through the night)? What constellation is the Moon in?
PHYS 162 Class 2

2. Setting up Stellarium Software
Go to
(link on course web page)
Has links to download to Linux, Mac, Windows at type. Click on the link for your device.
Once loaded, start it up. The control buttons are on the bottom with the exit being the last one on the right. Your mouse allows you to “move around” in the sky. If you get stuck or “lost”, exit and start over. Button 2 on the left is very useful as it allows you to change the date/time while Button 24 on the bottom can be clicked on to increase the amount of “fast forwarding”, with button 22 then stopping at a particular time. You normally want buttons 2,3,6,7,8, 10 On.
PHYS 162 Class 2

3. Stellarium Control Buttons
ON LEFT
Allows you to change location. Ignore if your default location is in northern Illinois (like DeKalb or Sycamore) but note different location if you are further south
Changes (easily) date and time. Very useful for many exercises.
ON BOTTOM
1,2,3 Constellation lines, names, art (want first 2 ON)
4,5 equatorial and azimuthal grid. Want ON for some questions
6,7,8 ground,cardinal points(N,E,S,W),atmosphere. Want ON
Deep sky objects (like galaxies) leave off. May use later
Planets, want ON
Skip
Full screen versus partial screen toggle (useful)
Exoplanets and meteor showers. Skip for now
skip (20 is blank spot)
Fast reverse <<
22 Forward/Stop (>/=)
23 Set time to now
24 >> Fast Forward (each click increases speed)
25 Exit
PHYS 162 Class 2