Motion

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Motion Part I: Looking North For this activity, imagine you are the observer shown on Earth in the Northern Hemisphere and that the time is 6 P.M. Looking north, the sky will appear as shown in Fig... ure I . The positions and motions of the star in Figure 1 can be understood by imagining yourself as the observer at the center of the celestial sphere as shown in Figure 2. In the celestial sphere model, Earth is stationary and the stars are carried on a sphere that rotates about an axis that points at the North Star. Note that only the portion of the celestial sphere that is above your horizon is shown. Figure 2 The x's in both figures represent four of the positions through which Star B will pass during the course of one revolution of the celestial sphere. Ignore Star A until Question 6. 1) Note in Figure I that the position of Star B at 6 P.M. has been identified for you. Circle the numbered position (1, 2, 3, or 4) in Figure 2 that corresponds to the identified location of Star B at 6 P.M. provided in Figure l. 2) The rotation of the celestial sphere carries Star B around so that it returns to the same position at about 6 P.M. the next evening. Label each of the x's in both figures with the approximate time at which Star B will arrive (e.g., the location you circled in Question 1 will be labeled "6 P.M."). 3) Using Figure 2, describe the direction you have to look to see Star B at 6 A.M. 4) The position directly overhead is called the zenith. Label the direction of the zenith on Figure 2. How does the direction of the zenith compare to the direction that you identified in Question 3? 0 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. LECTURE-TUTORIALS FOR INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY THIRD EDITION Pathof Path of Star A Horizon Rotation Celestial Sphere Sphere Rotation 5) In Figure 1, the path that Star B follows is shown with a dashed line. Draw a small arrowhead on the path to represent the direction Star B would be moving at the instant it is at each of the four locations marked with an x. Check your answers with a nearby group. 6) Using Figure 2, describe in words where you would look to see Star A when it is halfway between rising and setting. Part Il: Looking East Figure 3 shows an extended view along the eastern horizon showing the positions of Stars A and B at 6 P.M. The arrow shown is provided to indicate the direction that Star B will be moving at 6 P.M. Figure 3 7) Recall that in Question 6, you found that Star A ends up high in the southern sky when it is halfway between rising and setting (and therefore never passes through your zenith). Draw a straight arrow at the x in the east in Figure 3 (the position of Star A at 6 P.M.) to indicate the direction Star A moves as it rises. Studying Figure 2 can also help clarify your answer. 8) Two students are discussing the direction of motion of a star rising directly in the east. Student 1: Student 2: Stars move east to west so any star rising directly in the east must be moving straight up so that it can end up in the west. If the arrow were angled, the star would not set in the west. I disagree. From Figure 2, the path of Star A starts in the east, then it moves high in the southern sky yet still sets in the west. To do this it has to move toward the south as it rises so I drew my arrow angled up and to the right. Do you agree or disagree with either or both of the students? Explain your reasoning. 5 0 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. LECTURE-TUTORIALS FOR INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY THIRD EDITION 9) Imagine you could see Star B at noon. Fifteen minutes later, in what direction will Star B have moved? Explain your reasoning. 10)Consider the student comment below. Student: The amount of time that all stars are above the horizon is 12 hours because it takes 12 hours for a star to rise in the east and then set in the west. Do you agree or disagree with the student? Explain your reasoning. Consider the situation shown below in which the Sun and a group of constellations are shown at sunrise, Figure 4, and then shown again 8 hours later, Figure 5. [Show More]

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