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A tour of the Night Sky: Astronomy Made Simple Dr. Nathan Miller UWEC Department of Physics &...
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Transcript of A tour of the Night Sky: Astronomy Made Simple Dr. Nathan Miller UWEC Department of Physics &...
A tour of the Night Sky: Astronomy Made Simple
Dr. Nathan Miller
UWEC Department of Physics & Astronomy
Goals of class:Goals of class:1. Learn how stars, sun, moon and planets 1. Learn how stars, sun, moon and planets move through the skymove through the sky
2. Understand how Copernicus and Co. 2. Understand how Copernicus and Co. (1473-1543) used that alone to figure out the (1473-1543) used that alone to figure out the way the solar system is put together way the solar system is put together
Things you would study in a Things you would study in a medieval university:medieval university:
• The Trivium:– Grammar – Rhetoric – Logic
• The Quadrivium:– Arithmetic – Geometry – Music– Astronomy (Note: Not a trivial subject!)
Hogwarts classesHogwarts classes
• Herbology
• Potions
• Charms
• Muggle Studies
• Care of Magical Creatures
• Defense Against the Dark Arts
• Astronomy
Points of Light in the SkyPoints of Light in the Sky
A picture of 6 planets: A picture of 6 planets:
Jupiter
MarsSaturn Venus
Mercury
Two large Two large sources of lightsources of light
Moon, Venus, SpicaMoon, Venus, Spica
Practical Astronomy: The Motions Practical Astronomy: The Motions of the Starsof the Stars
Understanding the Motion of the Understanding the Motion of the Stars using the Celestial SphereStars using the Celestial Sphere
Note: The celestial sphere is not at some specific location. It is just an imaginary sphere used to discuss
the locations of and angles between the stars.
Atlas holding a celestial globe
(Roman copy of 200 BC
Greek original)
Exercise 1: Planisphere: Star Motions
Celestial Navigation:Celestial Navigation:
From ancient timesFrom ancient times
To recent times
To orient yourself and fix your To orient yourself and fix your location, want:location, want:
1. Cardinal directions1. Cardinal directions2. Latitude2. Latitude3. Longitude 3. Longitude
•YOU ARE HERE
Celestial Navigation: Determine Celestial Navigation: Determine your location on earth by your location on earth by
measuring the elevations of measuring the elevations of stars above the horizonstars above the horizon
This works because at the same This works because at the same moment in time, every location moment in time, every location on earth sees a unique view of on earth sees a unique view of
the sky.the sky.
Instruments: Instruments: Mariner’s Astrolabe:Mariner’s Astrolabe:
Sextant:Sextant:
Step 1: Use Polaris to locate Step 1: Use Polaris to locate due northdue north
Step 2: Measure angle of Step 2: Measure angle of Polaris above your horizonPolaris above your horizon
Height of Polaris above the Height of Polaris above the horizon = your lattitudehorizon = your lattitude
Person Standing at North Pole
Zodiacal Constellations: 12 constellations on dotted line on the planisphere. They tell you
which direction you are looking out into space
Exercise 2: Stars Around the World
Exercise 3: Celestial Navigation