NAME ____________________________________________ ASTRONOMY STAR PARTY
1. How do you find the star Polaris?
Will Polaris shift position during the night?
Will the other stars shift their relative position in relation to Polaris?
2. What is the asterism (and constellation) that includes Polaris?
3. What constellation contains the "Big Dipper"?
Observe the relative position of the "Big Dipper" at this time. Which way is the "dipper"
pointing?
Predict how the "Big Dipper" will shift in position throughout the night.
4. Where is Mercury situated at this time?
Is it a “Morning Star” or an “Evening Star”?
Describe the appearance of Mercury in the telescope.
5. What is the position of Venus at the beginning of the star party?
Is it a "Morning Star" or an "Evening Star"?
Describe the appearance of Venus in the telescope.
6. What constellation forms the background for Saturn?
7. Describe the appearance of Saturn in the telescope.
8. How many of Saturn’s moons can you observe?
9. What determines the coloration of stars?
10. Is Antares a "hot star" or a "cool star"? Cite your evidence.
11. Describe the differences seen between the highlands and maria of the Moon.
12. Which is younger, the highlands or the maria? How do you know?
13. What moon phase are we in? Explain.
14. Is the moon waxing or waning? How do you know?
15. Approximately when will it be a full moon?
16. Approximately when will it be a new moon?
17. Describe the position and appearance of the constellation Sagittarius.
What is the asterism contained within this constellation?
18. What is the "Summer Triangle"?
19. Describe the relative positions of the constellations Lyra, Cygnus, and Aquila.
What is the asterism in the constellation Cygnus?
20. Describe how to find the constellation Cassiopeia and describe its appearance.
21. Describe how to find the constellation Cepheus and describe its appearance.
22. Describe how to find the constellation Pegasus; where is Pegasus currently situated?
How do you recognize Pegasus?
23. Sketch the relative positions of Pegasus, Andromeda, and Perseus.
24. What is the "Milky Way"?
Describe the appearance and position of the Milky Way.
25. What is the difference between a meteoroid, meteor, and meteorite?
26. What is the composition of most meteors?
27. What is the composition of most meteorites?
Is this the same composition as for meteors? Explain the differences in composition.
28. The Southern Taurid shower will be active this year from September 10th through November
20th. Good viewing is expected tonight. Why is the Southern Taurid shower so-named?
29. In which direction should we face to see the majority of these meteors?
30. Describe how you oriented yourself to face in the direction of the meteor showers.
31. What is the source of the material that forms the Southern Taurid shower?
32. Why does the Southern Taurid shower peak on about the same day each year?
33. Would late night (P.M.) or early morning (A.M.) be the best time to observe the shower?
Why?
34. Define star magnitude.
35. How is star magnitude designated on star maps?
36. Describe the magnitude ("low number" or "high number" magnitude?) of the star Vega.
37. What is a galaxy?
38. Describe the position and appearance of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and its companion
galaxy M32.
39. What type of telescope is the Tarleton telescope?
40. How are images obtained on the Tarleton telescope?
41. What type of Galaxy is the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)?
42. Describe the appearance of the Ring Nebula (M57).
What is a “Planetary Nebula” and how is it formed?
43. Describe the position and appearance of the Pleiades.
What asterism is often confused with this little star cluster?
44. Describe the position and appearance of the constellation Auriga.
What is the name of the brightest star in this constellation?
45. Describe any other stuff that was pointed out during the star party.
46. As we near the end of the star party, where is Venus?
47. Before you leave the Star Party, point out the following astronomical objects to Murry: Ursa
Major, Polaris, Ursa Minor, Sagittarius, the Milky Way, the Summer Triangle, Pegasus,
Andromeda, Perseus, Cassiopeia and Saturn. Murry will initial question # 47 as soon as you are
able to do this.