Where In the Sky . . . ?

Paper version: use the given star chart of the sky as it appeared above Knoxville on January 14, 2003.  Use your knowledge of the altitude and azimuth coordinate system to answer the following questions that refer to the chart.

1. Which star that is labeled with a name is closest to the zenith?

2. Indicate on the chart the line or circle that represents the meridian.

3. Which labeled star is closest to the horizon (has least altitude)?

4. Determine the coordinates of the following: 
a.  Polaris
b.  Betelgeuse
c.  Jupiter
d.  Deneb Kaitos (on this chart)  (more commonly called Diphda)

5. Determine what is located at each of the following coordinates on the chart: 
a.  (17°, 314°)
b.  (68°, 121°)
c.  (20°, 130°)

6. Determine the approximate angular separation between the stars Mirach and Alpheratz.

7. Which labeled star(s) would be within a “hands-width” (about 18°) of the star Rigel?

Optional digital version: use the Stellarium web application (https://stellarium-web.org) to answer the previous questions.  This simulation runs in a browser (not exactly same as the same as the Stellarium application that can be downloaded and installed).  Here are some tips:

· Make sure that the simulated location is Knoxville (or a suburb thereof) by checking the box in the lower left corner.  Click and change if necessary.

· Click on box in lower right corner and pause the flow of time.  Change the date and time to match the chart described above:  2003, January 14, 8:30 pm (20:30:00).

· At bottom center click and turn ON options for both Constellations and Azimuthal Grid.

· Use mouse or touch pad to adjust the view – click and drag.  Zoom is controlled by scroll wheel on a mouse or two fingers (no click) on a touch pad.  To create a view identical to the one in the given chart, zoom all the way out and then click and drag to rotate the view so south is at bottom and north is at the top – a very common orientation for a sky map.

· To answer the questions, note that gridlines are labeled with altitude and azimuth.  Zooming in or out changes the number and resolution of gridlines and how many objects are labeled.  The Search box at top of the screen will find and center objects. 

Answers:

1. Algol

2. The vertical line running straight up and down through the center passing through Polaris and very near Mirfak is the meridian.

3. Algieba

4. in order altitude, azimuth:
a. (36°, 0°)
b. (46°, 122°)
c. (13°, 78°)
d. (23°, 223°)

5. a. Deneb
b. Moon
c. Sirius

6. The angular separation between Mirach and Alpheratz is about 15° judging by difference in altitude and very little difference in azimuth.

7. Saiph, Alnitak, Alnilam, and Bellatrix are all less than 18° away from Rigel.  Betelgeuse is 18.6° away from Rigel.