Inquiry 4.2 Observing the North Star using Stellarium
1. Using Stellarium set the computer program to your Home location Camas, WA
Latitude: N45O 35’14”
Longitude: W122O 23’ 53” and use today’s date.
2. Use the table on the back of this page to record your observations.
3. Open the Search window and type in Polaris.
4. Click on Polaris so that the information about the star shows in the upper left corner of
your screen. Read the Az/ALT angle and record the angle of separation between the
North star and the horizon.
5. Set the sky in motion again by clicking on the forward time button.(>>). Record your
observations about the apparent motion of the stars. Why do you think this is
happening?
6. Change your date for three months from now and repeat steps 4-5. Do this for all four
seasons by advancing the date in 3 month intervals. What observations can you make
about the North Star and the motion of the other stars throughout the year?
What observations can you make about the star’s angle of separation each time?
Record the date, angle of separation, and your observations in your table each time.
7. Visit another location (latitude) in the Northern Hemisphere. What observations can
you make about the relationship between latitude and the location of the North Star
Polaris? What does the apparent motion of the stars tell you about Earth? Record
your observations on the back of this page.
8. Deactivate the Azimuthal grid and set the Equatorial grid. You should see Polaris is
right at the apex of this grid in the north. Change locations and visit a country in the
Southern Hemisphere. Go to the apex of the grid in the southern hemisphere. Find the
“South Star”. What do you observe? Record your observations on the back of this
page..
9. Be sure to answer questions 5, 6,7,and 8 on the back of this sheet.
Table: Observations of ____________________________________
Latitude: N45O 35’14”
Date
Longitude: W122O 23’ 53”
Angle of Separation
General Observations
5) Record your observations about the apparent motion of the stars. Why do you think
this is happening?
6) What observations can you make about the North Star and the motion of the other
stars throughout the year? What observations can you make about the star’s angle of
separation each time?
7) What observations can you make about the relationship between latitude and the
location of the North Star Polaris? What does the apparent motion of the stars
tell you about Earth?
8) Find the “South Star”. What do you observe?