Inquiry 4.2 Observing the North Star using Stellarium (i-pad)
1. Tap screen settings icon. Choose wrench star icon. Tap location. 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. Tap the search icon in the middle of the left-hand side of the screen. 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. Tap the arrow in the upper left-hand side of the screen and read the
Az/ALT angle and record the angle of separation between the North Star and the
horizon.
5. Tap the lower left-hand time box. 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? Answer this question of the back of this page.
6. Tap screen setting icon. Choose Wrench star icon on left-hand side of screen. Choose
Time. 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?
Answer this question of the back of this page. 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? Answer
these questions on the back of this page.
8. Deactivate the Azimuthal grid
Equatorial grid
(tap icon at bottom center of screen) and set the
(tap icon at bottom center of screen). You should see Polaris is
right at the apex of this grid in the north. Tap the wrench star icon (mid- lefthand side
of screen) Choose location. 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 you have recorded your answers to questions 5, 6,7,and 8 on the back of this
page.
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?