naap_basic_coordinates_and_seasons_sg (1)

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Astronomy

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Dec 6, 2023

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Name: Basic Coordinates & Seasons – Student Guide There are three main sections to this module: terrestrial coordinates, celestial equatorial coordinates, and understanding how the ecliptic is related to seasons on the Earth. Each of these sections has its own simulator(s). The background material necessary to utilize these tools is contained in each section. Terrestrial Coordinates Work through the explanatory material on units of longitude and latitude , finding longitude and latitude , and a bit of history (optional).  Open the flat map explorer .  Familiarize yourself with the cursor and how it prints out the longitude and latitude of the active map location.  Note that you can vary the central meridian of the map (i.e. change its longitude). Use the “shift map” arrows at the top of the simulator to affect large rapid changes. Use the shift- click feature of the cursor for finer control.  Note what information is accessible through the show cities and show map features check boxes.  Center the cursor on your present location. Click the open Google Maps button to launch the Google Map tool focused on this location. Experiment until you get a good feeling for the Google Map’s capabilities and then close this window. (Note that you must be connected to the Internet to make use of this feature.) Question 1: Use the flat map explorer to complete the following table. You are encouraged to try and predict the answers and then use the map’s cursor and other features to check the accuracy of your estimates. Location Longitude Latitude Southern tip of Greenland 88.2º E 22.6º N Prime Meridian 51.8º N 46.6º W Tropic of Capricorn McMurdo Station, Antartica 77.2º W 38.5º N 149.1º E 35.5º S NAAP – Basic Coordinates & Motions 1/9

Question 2: Determine which of the 50 states defines the farthest extent of the United States in each of the 4 map directions. Direction State North South East (there are two ways of thinking about this) West Question 3: The exact coordinates of Wisconsin’s State Capitol Building are 89.38422º W and 43.07472º N. What are these exact coordinates in sexagesimal notation? Show your calculation in the box below. (You can use the Google Map tool to check your answer.)  Open the globe explorer. You are encouraged to use the Terrestrial Coordinate Explorers link which opens both simulators at the same time for the following two questions. Familiarize yourself with the features noting that they are very similar to those in the flat map explorer. Question 4: A) Where is the south pole on the flat map explorer ? What is its shape? B) Where is the south pole on the globe explorer ? What is its shape? C) Your answers to parts A and B should be different. Explain why. NAAP – Basic Coordinates & Motions 2/9

Question 5: Compare the relative sizes of Greenland and Australia in the two maps? The true values of the surface areas for these countries are Greenland (2.2 million km 2 ) and Australia (7.7 million km 2 ). Does each map demonstrate these true values? Celestial Equatorial Coordinates Work through the introductory material on the page entitled Celestial Equator, Declination, Right Ascension .  Open either the Flat Sky Map Explorer or the Sky Map Explorer .  Familiarize yourself with the same set of features (cursor movement, shifting the map, decimal/sexagesimal) that were available on the previous maps.  Make sure that you understand what each check box does. Question 6: Where is the star Polaris located on this map? What are its coordinates? Question 7: Find the constellation known as the “Big Dipper” shown in the box below and measure the right ascension and declination of the two stars indicated. Note that the Big Dipper is located at a declination of around +60º. NAAP – Basic Coordinates & Motions 3/9 RA DEC

Question 8: Which direction is east on the flat sky map? Relate this to a coordinate of the celestial equatorial system (Right Ascension or Declination). Question 9: Complete the following table of positions on the ecliptic. Ecliptic Location Approximate Date Right Ascension Declination Vernal Equinox March 21 Summer Solstice June 21 Autumnal Equinox December 21 Question 10: Write out a description of the ecliptic on the flat sky map. What does the shape look like? Describe the ecliptic in terms of its average and range of declination values. Seasons and the Ecliptic Work through the introductory material on the page entitled Orbits and Light .  Open the Seasons and Ecliptic Simulator .  Note that there are three main panels (left, upper right, and lower right) each of which have two different views. Controls run along the bottom of the simulation that affect NAAP – Basic Coordinates & Motions 4/9 RA DEC

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