Observation Notebook
The observation notebook can be an important part of your education in astronomy and also an important part of your grade in astronomy. The purpose of the notebook is to help motivate you to get out and look up at the sky. Many of the things we will be studying are not visible during the day and the only way for you to observe these phenomena is to go and see for yourself on your own time.
From the teacher’s standpoint the notebook is “proof” that you did indeed make these observations. So it is important that this be extremely neat and well organized. In order to receive full credit the notebook must be kept exactly as described below.
This is an optional assignment that will be worth one hundred points and it will replace your lowest test score. Your grade will be determined by the number of assigned observations that you complete and by how well you follow the guidelines below. To get full credit you must do at least 25 of the observations from the list of over 30 assigned observations described in this document.
Notebook Requirements
1. Paper version: The notebook is to be a single subject spiral notebook at least 5 inches by 7 inches. Only one assigned observation is to be placed on each page. Use only the front side of each page.
Electronic version: The notebook is to be a single Google Slides presentation. Only one assigned observation is to be placed on each “slide”.
2. Each assigned observation must have a Title (which is underlined on the list of assigned observations). Put this title at the top of the page to identify each observation that you make.
3. Record
your observation below the title and use the following format:
(You must do each of the following for each
observation to earn full credit.)
× Date of the observation
× Time of the observation (note AM or PM and EST or EDT)
× Location from which you made this observation
× Description and/or sketch and/or photo – It is important to make this worthwhile. Be as specific as possible paying special attention to details such as color, orientation, approximate altazimuth position, weather conditions, and also significant surroundings.
× Notes, comments and/or questions – Here you should place your thoughts about the observation such as thoughts you had, questions to ask in class, or ideas for future follow up observations that you might want to make on your own.
4. Before turning in your notebook, number the pages (or slides) in order consecutively. You should have at least 25 correctly completed observations (4 pts each) to get full credit of 100 pts. Note: if you have more than 25 observations it will not count as extra credit but it might help your grade if you have any mistakes or omissions in the previous 25.
The observation notebook will be due Wednesday December 14, 2022 (but can be turned in earlier). Complete the observations whenever you can. If you have any problems or “can’t find something” don’t hesitate to seek help from Mr. M.
Observation Assignments – Fall 2022
Section One: Measurements – The purpose of this set
of six observations is to determine some fundamental values describing the sky
by making the measurements yourself and recording the results. It’s okay if
your results are not exactly correct – just record what you observe!
o Measure the Altitude Of Polaris using a quadrant. The altitude of Polaris should approximately equal your latitude – does it? Note: if you go on a trip north or south you may wish to repeat this observation from a different latitude.
o On a date before Sept. 22 measure the Altitude Of The Sun at around 1:40 p.m. using a protractor quadrant. NEVER look directly at the Sun – instead use the shadow of the quadrant.
o On or about September 22 measure the Altitude Of The Sun at the same apparent time of day as previous observation (around 1:40 p.m.) using a protractor quadrant. NEVER look directly at the Sun – instead use the shadow of the quadrant.
o On a date in November or December measure the Altitude Of The Sun at the same apparent time of day as previous observation (around 12:40 p.m.) using a protractor quadrant. NEVER look directly at the Sun – instead use the shadow of the quadrant.
o Measure the length of the Solar Day! Use a precise timepiece to measure the duration of the apparent solar day by noting the location of a shadow around midday and then determining the amount of time that elapses until the same shadow has the same orientation, indicating that the Sun has returned to the same spot in the sky. It is best if you wait more than one day – just divide the total amount of time by the number of days.
o Measure
the length of the Sidereal Day! Facing somewhat south a couple of hours
after sunset, observe a bright star relative to an object fixed on the horizon
and note the time of day to the nearest second. Then on a clear night about
one week later repeat the observation and note the time of day to the nearest
minute when the star returns to its same position relative to earth. Use the
result to determine the length of the sidereal day.
(Note: you can expect the star to return about four minutes earlier for every
day later you make the second observation – for example if the second
observation is 7 days after the first the star should return to its position 28
minutes earlier in the night – remember to adjust for DST/EST if necessary.)
Section Two: Phases of the Moon – The purpose of
this set of seven observations is for you to follow the changing appearance of
the Moon over the course of one month or more technically one lunation.
(Ideally these should be made in order of occurrence during the same
lunation, though you don’t necessarily have to start with the waxing crescent.)
o Observe the Waxing Crescent Moon. (1 to 5 days old)
o Observe the Moon Near First Quarter. (6 to 8 days old)
o Observe the Waxing Gibbous Moon. (9 to 13 days old)
o Observe the Moon Near Full. (14 to 16 days old)
o Observe the Waning Gibbous Moon. (17 to 20 days old)
o Observe the Moon Near Third Quarter. (21 to 23 days old)
o Observe the Waning Crescent Moon. (24 to 28 days old)
Section Three: Celestial Rotation – The purpose of this
set of seven observations is for you to see the apparent rotation of the
celestial sphere due to the Earth’s actual rotation about its axis. In order
to do this you should make a sketch showing the relative positions of the
indicated stars and the horizon. Note: for observations that must be done at
the same time of night be sure to account for daylight savings time (ends
Nov. 6 this year) when necessary– for example 8 p.m. EDT Oct. 10 is the same
time of night as 7 p.m. EST Nov. 10.
o Observe Polaris, Cassiopeia, and the Big Dipper. Note: either Cassiopeia or the Big Dipper may be close to the horizon and difficult to see depending on the time of your observations – always just sketch what you can actually see. Your sketch should show how these constellations are oriented relative to the horizon.
o Observe Polaris, Cassiopeia, and the Big Dipper Later in the Year at the same time of night at least four weeks later than the previous observation, noting any differences and any similarities.
o Observe Polaris, Cassiopeia, and the Big Dipper Later in the Night between 2 and 12 hours later than one of the previous observations, different, noting any differences and any similarities.
o Observe the constellation Pegasus (and the Great Square) above the east horizon in September between 9 and 11 p.m. Sketch the Square and the horizon as it appears to you.
o Observe the constellation Pegasus (and the Great Square) Later in the Year at the same time of night at least four weeks later (early October), noting how the orientation of the constellation has changed relative to the east horizon.
o Observe the constellation Cygnus (and the Summer Triangle) above the west horizon during the first week in November between 7 and 9 p.m. Sketch the triangle (and the northern cross if visible) relative to the horizon as it appears to you. Label Deneb, Vega, and Altair.
o Observe the constellation Cygnus (and the Summer Triangle) Later in the Year at the same time of night at four to six weeks later (sometime in November), noting how the orientation of these stars has changed relative to the west horizon.
Section Four: General Observations & Unique Opportunities
o Total Lunar Eclipse November 8, Tuesday morning before sunrise: most noticeable between 4 am and sunrise. Maximum eclipse at 05:59 am.
o Observe and describe and/or sketch Mercury. Because Mercury is always relatively close to the Sun and is not very bright it is challenging to spot. Your best chance is October 5 – 15, look above the east horizon about 30 – 45 minutes before sunrise. Greatest elongation occurs Oct. 8.
o Observe and describe and/or sketch Venus. Venus is low in the sky above the east horizon just before sunrise through mid-September.
o Observe and describe and/or sketch Mars. Mars can be seen in the constellation Taurus near the bright star Aldebaran throughout the fall months – both objects have an reddish orange tint. Mars rises at midnight in early September, but it rises earlier and earlier as autumn proceeds. By December Mars is rising at sunset and opposition occurs Dec. 7.
o Observe and describe and/or sketch Jupiter. Look in the evenings above the southeast horizon and drifting westward throughout the fall. Jupiter is quite bright and located in the constellation Pisces, just south (or “below”) the Great Square of Pegasus.
o Observe and describe and/or sketch Saturn. Find Saturn about 45° west (or “right”) of Jupiter (described above), but not as bright. Saturn has a “golden” hue and is located nearly midway between the bright stars Altair (southern vertex of the Summer Triangle) and Fomalhaut of Piscis Austrinus – the “Southern Fish”.
o Observe Planetary Motion. Find Mars, Jupiter, and/or Saturn and determine and label the approximate location of each on the given star charts. Tape or paste the chart(s) in your notebook (can be up to three pages). Then repeat this process at least two more times on later dates to show the apparent motion of the planets across the celestial sphere. Note: Each page like this must have observations from at least three different dates and times (and possibly different locations).
o Observe one or more meteors (i.e. “shooting stars”)! This might happen on any night (and you can record it on a page in your notebook). But the best odds to see one are during an annual meteor shower: Aug. 11 – 13, the Perseids; Oct. 7 – 9, the Draconids; Oct. 20 – 22, the Orionids; Nov. 3 – 5, the Taurids; Nov. 16 – 18, the Leonids; and Dec. 13 – 15, the Geminids.
o Use a telescope or binoculars to observe a Magnified Planet of your choice. Sketch any details that you can see. Note: This observation may be repeated with a different planet.
o Use a telescopic or binoculars to observe a “Deep Sky Object” (cluster, galaxy, nebula, Messier object, etc). Sketch any details. Suggestions in order of setting time: M13 (Hercules Cluster), M57 (Ring Nebula), M31 (Andromeda Galaxy), M45 (Pleiades), M42 (Orion Nebula), M44 (Beehive Cluster). You may repeat this with different objects.
o Using the projection technique, make an Image of the Sun on a piece of paper. NEVER look directly at the Sun through a telescope. Draw a sketch showing any sunspots. This observation may be repeated – but only to show any significant changes.
o Observe, sketch, any event (besides those listed above) described in the monthly Calendar or Evening Sky Map found at Skymaps.com.