Fire & Stars
Draw the 8 phases of the moon.
(See notes)
Draw a compass for the star chart.
(Use notes)
What is the brightest magnitude?
0-mag
What are the degrees of brightness or magnitude of each star?
0-mag, 1st-mag, 2nd-mag, 3rd-mag, 4th-mag, 5th-mag.
What are the 3 ways stars are pictured?
1. Allegorical. 2. Geometric. 3. Graphic. We use the Graphic one.
List and describe the principal characteristics of the small bodies that inhabit the solar system.
1. Asteroids. 2. Comets. 3. Meteoroids. 4. Dwarf Planets. Pluto is a dwarf planet because it is so small that it is not large enough to sweep away debris.
Outline the principal characteristics of Mercury, Venus, and Mars. Describe their similarities and differences from Earth.
1. Earths atmosphere can support life. 2. There is no atmosphere on Mercury. 3. Venus has a cloud of sulfuric acid. 4. Mars has a thin atmosphere.
Compare and contrast the 4 Jovian planets.
1. Jupiter is the largest and has The Great Red Spot. 2. Saturn is known for its rings which are made up of moons and debris. 3. Uranus rotates on its side. 4. Neptune is the last planet in the solar system. Known for being the windiest and coldest.
Name the 8 planets from biggest to smallest.
1. Jupiter. 2. Saturn. 3. Uranus. 4. Neptune. 5. Earth. 6. Venus. 7. Mars 8. Mercury.
Which planets can be seen with the naked eye?
1. Mercury. 2. Venus. 3. Mars. 4. Jupiter. 5. Saturn
What is the magnitude of Polaris?
2nd-mag
Which latitude do we use in West Virginia?
40 degrees latitude
Why is Polaris so important?
All the other stars and constellations appear to rotate around Polaris. While Polaris remains fixed at the center at almost exactly 40 degrees.
Heliocentric view
Aristarchus model was heliocentric, meaning sun centered
When is Winter Solstice?
December 21st or 22nd
Features of the earths moon
Diameter, temperature, gravitational force, volume, lack of atmosphere, no weathering or erosion
Copernicus
Earth is a planet; the sun at the center of the solar system with the planets in a circular orbit
Where were the Maria basins originated from?
From asteroid impacts and lava flooding.
Define Meridian.
Is half of the great circle on the celestial sphere passing through the observers zenith and both celestial poles.
Define Ecliptic.
Is the apparent path of the sun among the stars in the course of a year.
When is Summer Solstice?
June 20th or 21st
What are the Jovian planets?
Jupiter. Saturn. Uranus. Neptune. They are large, gaseous, and low density. The atmosphere is thick and is composed of hydrogen, helium, methane, and ammonia.
Newton
Law of universal gravitation
When is Spring Equinox?
March 20th or 21st
What are the terrestrial planets?
Mercury. Venus. Earth. Mars. They are small, dense, and rocky. The atmosphere is thin and is composed of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen.
Geocentric view
Ptolemys model was geocentric, meaning Earth centered
When is Fall Equinox?
September 22nd or 23rd
What are the colors of the stars?
Silverish white, blue, red, yellow, green, and orange.
Define Altitude.
The distance of a star from the horizon.
Why aren't planets on the star charts?
The planets wander around the constellations and have no fixed point.
Define Zenith.
The point overhead of the observer.
Brahe
Tried to disprove Copernicus; the teacher of Kepler
Galileo
Using a telescope was able to prove that Copernicus was right, 5 major discoveries.
How can you find the north using the Pole Star?
Using the Big Dipper, follow a straight line from the two lines at the pot until you hit a bright star which will be Polaris, the pole star, aka the North Star. By facing Polaris you are facing north.
What is the brightest planet?
Venus, known as the morning/ evening star.
