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Discovering the Universe for Yourself. SFA Star Charts. Star Chart 1 - Northern Region Star Chart 2 - Equatorial Region Star Chart 3 - Equatorial Region Star Chart 4 - Southern Region. SFA Star Chart 1. Right Ascension. North Star. “Little Dipper”. Declination.
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SFA Star Charts • Star Chart 1 - Northern Region • Star Chart 2 - Equatorial Region • Star Chart 3 - Equatorial Region • Star Chart 4 - Southern Region
SFA Star Chart 1 Right Ascension North Star “Little Dipper” Declination “Pointer Stars” “Big Dipper”
“King” “Queen” SFA Star Chart 1
Chart 1 Problem • Find the coordinates of Capella.
Summer Solstice Ecliptic Orion Celestial Equator Vernal Equinox Autumnal Equinox
“Summer Triangle” Celestial Equator Autumnal Equinox Vernal Equinox Winter Solstice Ecliptic
Star Chart Exercise • 1. Where are the Zodiac Constellations? • Circle their names on the star charts. • 2. Find the coordinates of Betelgeuse and Sirius. • 3. Where is the Sun today? • Give the RA, DEC, and constellation
Astrology Connection • Where is the Sun on your Birthday? • Note: Astrological signs no longer correspond to the location of the Sun on your day of birth! • Have we been reading the wrong horoscopes all this time?
Constellations • Constellations are recognizable patterns of stars in the sky. • There are 88 constellations. (e.g. Orion) • The 12 constellations along the ecliptic on your star chart are called the Zodiac Constellations.
Asterisms • Asterism are recognizable patterns of stars that is not one of the 88 constellations. • For Example: The Big Dipper
The Sky Dome • Celestial Meridian • Polaris • Zenith • Celestial Equator
Measuring Angles • altitude - the angle of a star above the horizon • The North Star, Polaris, is not the brightest star in the sky but remains in a fixed position in the sky. • The angle of Polaris above your horizon is the same as your latitude in degrees.
Thought Exercise • Where are you if Polaris is directly overhead? • Where are you if Polaris is on your horizon?