Astronomy Quiz

What two methods of locating stars and other celestial objects do astronomers use? SELECT TWO!

• Latitude and Longitude

• North, South and East, West

• Right Ascension and Declination

• Altitude and Azimuth

Answer explanation

Astronomers use Right Ascension and Declination, akin to latitude and longitude on Earth, for celestial coordinates. Altitude and Azimuth provide a local perspective based on an observer's position, making both methods essential for locating stars.

How do we measure Right Ascension?

• Asking the Teacher

• By measuring Hours East of the Prime Meridian

• By measuring Degrees East of the Prime Meridian

• Measuring Longitude

Answer explanation

Right Ascension is measured in hours, with 24 hours representing a full circle. It is defined as the angle measured eastward from the Prime Meridian, making 'By measuring Hours East of the Prime Meridian' the correct choice.

Where does Right Ascension start? In other words, where is it 0?

• Greenwich, UK

• London, UK

• Berlin, Germany

• Tokyo, Japan

Answer explanation

Right Ascension starts at 0 degrees at the vernal equinox, which is defined to be at the Greenwich meridian. Therefore, the correct answer is Greenwich, UK.

How do we measure Declination?

• Degrees above and below the Celestial Equator

• Hours above and below the Celestial Equator

• Degrees clockwise from North

• Degrees counterclockwise from North

Answer explanation

Declination is measured in degrees above and below the Celestial Equator, indicating how far an object is from this reference line in the sky. This makes the first answer choice correct.

Look at the image to the left, where is the Heart located? (Note, the increasing hours of Right Ascension are backwards in this image). Right Ascension: __________ Declination: __________

• Right Ascension: 12h, Declination: +30°

• Right Ascension: 6h, Declination: -30°

• Right Ascension: 18h, Declination: +60°

• Right Ascension: 16h, Declination: +50°

Answer explanation

The Heart is located at Right Ascension: 16h and Declination: +50°, as indicated in the image. This matches the correct answer choice, confirming its position in the celestial coordinate system.

Where is the Green Star located? Right Ascension: __________ Declination: __________

• Right Ascension: 2h,

  Declination: 0°

• Right Ascension: 14h 39m 36s, Declination: -60° 50′ 02″

• Right Ascension: 10h 45m 03s, Declination: -59° 41′ 04″

• Right Ascension: 12h 51m 26s, Declination: -57° 10′ 56″

Answer explanation

The Green Star is located at Right Ascension: 2h and Declination: 0°. This matches the first answer choice, confirming its coordinates in the celestial sphere.

True or False: Right Ascension/Declination changes based on your location on Earth.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

False. Right Ascension and Declination are fixed celestial coordinates that do not change based on your location on Earth. They are similar to latitude and longitude but for the celestial sphere.

True or False: Altitude/Azimuth changes based on your location on Earth.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. The altitude and azimuth of celestial objects vary depending on your geographic location on Earth, as they are measured relative to the observer's position.

What is the importance of the Local Sky?

• Demonstrating the path of the sun during the course of a year.

• Showing where the North Star/South Pole is according to your location on Earth.

• Understanding why daylight time changes over the course of the year.

• All of the above

Answer explanation

The Local Sky is crucial for understanding celestial movements, including the sun's path, the position of the North Star, and the reasons for changes in daylight time, making 'All of the above' the correct choice.

If in the Northern Hemisphere, how does one determine their latitude?

• Finding the Azimuth of Polaris

• Finding the Altitude of Polaris

• Finding the position of the Sun at Solar Noon

• Finding the position of Polaris at Solar Noon

Answer explanation

To determine latitude in the Northern Hemisphere, one can find the altitude of Polaris, which is approximately equal to the observer's latitude. This makes it the most direct method for latitude measurement.