AST 1002: Outline for Topic A

[Sections Taught by Prof. H.L. Cohen]

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Last updated January 1, 2003

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Topic A: The Visible Sky (Appearance of the Night Sky)

• Sky Objects (ref. Table 1)
  • Map directions (which direction on right hand side of sky map?)
  • Names of naked eye planets in order of apparent brightness and name of brightest fixed star
  • Brightness rank and magnitude of Polaris (North Star)
  • Naked eye limit (rural)
  • Number of stars visible at any one time in contrast to potentially visible to naked eye
• Magnitude System
  • Definition of magnitude
  • How magnitude scale works (what do algebraically increasing numbers mean?)
• Constellations
  • Origin of adopted constellations (region of world, what language used for constellation names)
  • Number of constellations now recognized
  • Definition of constellation (both old and modern definitions)
• Star Nomenclature Systems (see Table 19)
  • By Proper or common name (what language most stars names originally from?)
  • Bayer and Flamsteed methods (how stars named; what designation tells about star)
  • By catalog number
  • Special case of variable stars — how named if a variable (if not already named)
  • Know how stars not named.
    (See "How Stars Not Named" in AST1002-L Archives and read "A Star Is Not a Star by Any Other Name,")
• Planets
  • Original ("classical") definition of planet
  • What celestial objects are the days of the week (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, etc.) named after?
    (Except for Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, you do not need to know the specific objects.)
• Moon
  • Apparent linear diameter (equivalent circle size if view from about 10 inches)
  • Apparent angular diameter in degrees (what other object has same apparent diameter?)
  • What is the explanation of apparent "enlargement" of the Moon?
  • Causes of coloration (reddening) and distortion for rising or setting Moon (or Sun)
• Primary Motion of Heavens (ref. Table 2)
  • Alternate names (synonyms) for daily and yearly motions
  • Objects having prime motion
  • Direction of prime motion
  • Period and rate (degrees per hour, etc.)
• Secondary Motion of the Sun (ref. Table 2, Fig. 1)
  • Alternate names (e.g., yearly — what else?)
  • Direction, period, rate (degrees/day, etc., incl. solar diameters per day) of wandering motion
• Secondary Motion of the Moon
  • Direction of wandering motion
  • Period and rate (degrees per day, etc., incl. number of lunar diameters per hour)
  • Rate moon gains on Sun (degrees per day)
  • Meaning of sidereal
  • Sidereal and synodic periods of Moon (definition and length in days)
  • Meaning of synod and synodic (see dictionary!)
• Phases of the Moon (ref. Table 3)
  • Meaning of aspect, elongation (incl. greatest elongation) and phase
  • Names of all phases and related aspects
  • Hence, know and understand relationship of each phase with Sun's position (aspect)
  • Meanings of wax, wane, gibbous and horn (what is a synonym for horn?)
  • Astronomical term for "line between dark and light" (see Table 3, bottom right)
  • Astronomical term for "edge" of Moon (see Table 3, bottom right)
  • Direction of Moon's horns (see Table 3, bottom right)
  • Original basis for length of month; how many days in a lunar month? In a lunar year?
  • Origin (meaning) of word menses
  • Be familiar with three example calendars in use today that still use lunar months
    (Islamic, Hebrew and Chinese)
  • Know how to estimate future (or past) phases from synodic period if given Moon's phase and date
• Secondary Motion of the Inferior Planets (ref. Table 2)
  • Which planets are inferior
  • Direction of wandering motion
  • Meanings of prograde (or direct) and retrograde
  • Average rates of planets (don't memorize rates but know how ranked)
  • Know how to determine average rate from object's sidereal period
    (Example: For Moon, average rate = 360°/Sidereal Period = 360°/27.3days = 13°/day)
  • Meanings of elongation and greatest elongation
  • Know approximate values of greatest elongation for each inferior planet
  • Possible (and impossible) aspects of an inferior planet (e.g., is opposition possible?)
• Secondary Motion of the Superior Planets (ref. Table 2)
  • Which planets are superior
  • Direction of wandering motion. (When do superior planets retrograde? When brightest?)
  • Average rates of planets (don't memorize rates but know how ranked)
  • Aspects of a superior planet
• Moon/Planet Relations
  • If you understand celestial motions, you should be to interpret astronomical scenarios
    (e.g., Full Moons are opposite Sun so rise when Sun sets)
  • Hence, be able to determine if an astronomical event is correct or possible
  • Example: "I saw the Full Moon over the south horizon at sunset." True or False?
• Tentative List of Study Guide Questions To Omit for Topic A
  • Nos. 30 through 37; Nos. 44 and 48

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* This list is reasonably complete but students remain responsible for all material presented in class. Tables, figures, examples, etc., listed here refer to printed Study Guide items.

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For comments and suggestions contact Howard L. Cohen at cohen@astro.ufl.edu About this site (department disclaimer and recommended web browser) © Copyright 1999-2003 Howard L. Cohen