1. Discovering the Universe for Yourself
Chapter 2
Discovering the Universe for Yourself

2. SFA Star Charts Star Chart 1 - Northern Region
Star Chart Equatorial Region
Star Chart Equatorial Region
Star Chart Southern Region

4. SFA Star Chart 1 North Star Declination Right Ascension
“Little Dipper”
Declination
“Pointer Stars”
“Big Dipper”

5. “King”
“Queen”
SFA Star Chart 1

6. Chart 1 Problem
Find the coordinates of Capella.

7. SFA Star Chart 1

9. Summer Solstice
Ecliptic
Orion
Celestial Equator
Vernal Equinox
Autumnal Equinox

10. “Summer Triangle”
Celestial Equator
Vernal Equinox
Autumnal Equinox
Winter Solstice
Ecliptic

11. Star Chart Exercise 1. Where are the Zodiac Constellations?
Circle their names on the star charts.
2. Find the coordinates of Betelgeuse and Sirius.
3. Where is the Sun today?
Give the RA, DEC, and constellation

14. Astrology Connection Where is the Sun on your Birthday?
Note: Astrological signs no longer correspond to the location of the Sun on your day of birth!
Have we been reading the wrong horoscopes all this time?

15. SFA Star Chart 4

18. The Constellation Orion

20. Constellations
Constellations are recognizable patterns of stars in the sky.
There are 88 constellations. (e.g. Orion)
The 12 constellations along the ecliptic on your star chart are called the Zodiac Constellations.

21. Asterisms
Asterism are recognizable patterns of stars that is not one of the 88 constellations.
For Example: The Big Dipper

22. The Sky Dome
Celestial Meridian
Polaris
Zenith
Celestial Equator

23. Measuring Angles altitude - the angle of a star above the horizon
The North Star, Polaris, is not the brightest star in the sky but remains in a fixed position in the sky.
The angle of Polaris above your horizon is the same as your latitude in degrees.

26. Thought Exercise Where are you if Polaris is directly overhead?
Where are you if Polaris is on your horizon?

27. Write this down

28. View from the Equator

29. View from the North Pole

30. Circumpolar Stars are stars that never set.
WEB

33. How do you use these charts?
Face North
Find Meridian
Find the Field of View

34. SFA Star Chart 1
Date

35. Date
North Horizon