Name: ___________________________ Period: _____ Date: _________ Polaris Lab
Polaris Lab: A Stationary Signpost Partner: ____________________
INTRODUCTION : Polaris is the North Star. To find Polaris in the night sky you first must find the
Big Dipper. Once you find the Big Dipper, use the two pointer stars to point the way to Polaris.
Use the distance between the pointer stars and measure 5X that distance to get to the Little
Dipper. Polaris will be the last star in the handle of the Little Dipper. (See the diagrams at the end of this lab packet to help you visualize this procedure.
Objectives: After completing this lab you should be able to:
1.
Model how to use an astrolabe to locate Polaris.
2.
Determine an observer’s latitude in the Northern Hemisphere by using an astrolabe to determine the altitude of Polaris.
3.
Write a relationship between the altitude of Polaris and the latitude of the observer in the Northern Hemisphere.
4.
Analyze a line graph of your latitude and altitude and the class’s latitude and altitude of Polaris data to extrapolate the maximum and minimum altitudes of Polaris.
Vocabulary:
Constellation
Latitude
Altitude
Big and Little Dipper
Northern Hemisphere
Horizon
Astrolabe Pointer Stars
Circumpolar Stars
Relationship
Hypothesis:
I think the latitude of the observer will _______________ as the altitude of Polaris
____________ because ________________________________________________________________.
Procedures:
1.
Measure the altitude of Polaris with your Astrolabe. Use the method demonstrated in class. Measure the altitude at each of the posted locations. Read the altitude of Polaris
(its angle from the horizon) as accurately as possible and record it in the chart.
2.
Upon returning to the classroom record your altitude of Polaris for each location on a post it note and place it on the correct poster paper.
3.
Write down the actual latitude for each location on your chart in your lab packet. Your instructor will supply you with this information.
4.
Using only your data write a relationship between the altitude of Polaris and latitude of the location. Use the average class data and write a relationship between the altitude of Polaris and latitude of the location. Write this on a separate sheet of paper.

5.
Create a 2 line graph – one line is your data only and one line is the average class data. Plot the altitude of Polaris vs. the latitude of the location. Create a key for each line using two different colored pencils.
6.
Circle the points and connect them with a solid line. Now with a dotted line extrapolate your graph to the highest and lowest altitude of Polaris.
Data Analysis
Location
My Altitude of
Polaris
Classes
Average
Altitude of
Polaris
Latitude of Each
Location
A B C 4 5
Answer the Background questions using a globe, atlas, ESRT NYS map or review book
1.
What is the highest possible altitude of Polaris? ______ What is the highest possible latitude on earth? ________ Where is this found on earth? _______
2.
What is the lowest possible altitude of Polaris? _____ What is the lowest possible latitude on earth? _____ Where on earth do you measure this? _____
3.
At the Tropic of Cancer what is the altitude of Polaris? ________ What is the latitude of the Tropic of Cancer? ___________.
4.
What is the highest and lowest latitude of New York State?_______ and __________
What is the highest altitude that Polaris can be in NYS? ____________ What is the lowest altitude that Polaris can be in NYS? __________

7.
Refer back to step 5 and 6 and compete the following graph. Be sure to include an appropriate Graph Title and reasonable time scales. Label the x axis Altitude of
Polaris and the y axis Latitude (Degree North)
Conclusion Questions
1.
Name a city in NYS where Polaris has an altitude of 41 0 . _________________________
2.
Name a city in NYS where Polaris has an altitude of 44 0 . _________________________
3.
Name a city in NYS where Polaris has an altitude of 45 0 . _________________________
4.
Explain how to use an astrolabe to find the altitude of Polaris. _____________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________ .
5.
How is the altitude of Polaris related to your latitude? _____________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________.

6.
What type of graphing pattern (if any) did you see with your data only and then with the class data? Were they the same or different? Was one set more accurate than the other? _______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
7.
Did the data support or reject your hypothesis? Why or why not? ____________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
8.
What might have caused some potential or actual sources of error in your experiment?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Going Further: What else might we measure using the astrolabe?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Extra Credit: The astrolabe was developed over 2000 years ago, although there have been several improvements since then. Write one or more paragraphs discussing why
“celestial altitude” would be important to ancient mariners (sailors? Include information on its history.