Brief Overview of Activity Locate and analyze two news reports of.docx

Brief Overview of Activity
: Locate and analyze two news reports of recent astronomical
discoveries.
Required Items:
The internet and/or periodicals such as (for example)
The Washington Post
or
Sky and Telescope
The daily news is not just sports and politics. It includes
science too! For this simple activity all you need to do is find
two articles related to astronomy (either online or in hard copy),
summarize and analyze them. The topics can be anything of
your choosing so long as they are relevant to the course
material. Examples could be a new telescope that has recently
come online, the discovery of a new exoplanet, etc.; the idea is
for you to find and write up something you are interested in!
The writeup should be roughly one page long (double-spaced);
the first half should be a summary of what was discovered, and
the second should be your analysis of it--did it make sense?
Was it well-written? Did it tie into things we've discussed in
class? What are some of the ramifications, etc.? Include the
complete citation of the original article (hyperlinked if it is
from the internet). Make sure your sources are reputable ones,
whether online or not; if you have any concerns about whether
that's the case or not, please simply contact me and I can give
you my opinion.
HR Diagram Activity (30 points)
: Use an HR diagram to learn about the differences between the
stars in our stellar neighborhood and the brightest stars in the
sky.
Required Items:
this HR diagram
, red & black ink pens.

Procedure:
On the HR diagram, plot each star from the "Brightest Stars
Group" in black ink and then plot each star from the "Nearest
Stars Group" in red ink.
Data for both groups of stars can be found below.
Describe any differences between the two groups of stars - such
as their location on the diagram, color, mass, and the types of
stars in each group.
Which of the two groups of stars is most representative of the
vast majority stars in the universe?
Data
Brightest Stars Group
Name
Spectral Type
Absolute Mag
Sirius
A1
1.45
Canopus
F0
-5.63
Rigel Kentaurus
G2
4.39
Arcturus
K2
-0.32
Vega
A0
0.61
Capella
G8
-0.52
Rigel
B8

-7.01
Procyon
F5
2.66
Betelgeuse
M2
-5.48
Achernar
B3
-2.71
Hadar
B1
-4.78
Altair
A7
2.22
Aldebaran
K5
-0.63
Acrux
B0.5
-4.18
Spica
B1
-3.44
Antares
M1
-5.12
Fomalhaut
A3
1.75
Pollux
K0
1.07
Deneb
A2

-6.90
Mimosa
B0.5
-3.90
Nearest Stars Group
Name
Spectral Type
Absolute Mag
Sun
G2
4.83
Proxima Centauri
M5.5
15.48
Alpha Centauri A
G2
4.38
Alpha Centauri B
K0
5.71
Barnard's Star
M3.5
13.25
Wolf 359
M5.5
16.64
Lalande 21185
M2
10.44
Sirius A
A1
1.44
Sirius B
A2
11.34
Epsilon Eridani

K2
6.20
Lacaille 9352
M1
9.76
Ross 128
M4
13.53
61 Cygni A
K5
7.48
61 Cygni B
K7
8.31
Procyon A
F5
2.65
Procyon B
A0
12.98
Struve 2398
M3
11.17
Groombridge 34
M1.5
10.31
Epsilon Indi
K4
6.98
Tau Ceti
G8.5
5.68
Radioactive Dating Activity (due at Stage 2) (30 points)
: Radioactive decay is one of the sources of the heat that drive
the Earth's geologic activity. Radioactive decay also allows us

to date rocks and determine the age of the Earth and other solar
system bodies.
Required Items:
36 coins, a calculator, pencil & paper.
Procedure:
In this activity you will simulate the radioactive decay of 36
atoms of a rare isotope of uranium, U-235. Uranium-235 has a
half-life of 700 million years. Gather 36 coins and arrange them
in a 6 x 6 grid with all of the coins facing heads up.
Flip each coin into the air and then place it back in its original
location on the grid. This represents the passage of 1 half-life
(700 million years for this example). The coins that came up
heads represent atoms that have not yet decayed; the coins that
came up tails represent atoms that have decayed. Record the
number of heads below.
Next flip each one of the remaining heads-up coins once and
place it back in its original location. 1.4 billion years have now
passed by (2 x 700 million). Record the number of remaining
heads below. Repeat this process until all coins are tails up.
_______ Original number of U-235 atoms
_______ Remaining number of U-235 atoms after 1st flip
_______ Remaining number of U-235 atoms after 2nd flip
Add additional lines as needed.
Questions:
How many half-lives did it take for all of the atoms to decay?
How many years does that equate to?
Do you think everyone in class will get the same answer? Why?
Diameter of the Sun Activity (25 points)
: A pinhole can form an image in much the same way as a lens.
Measuring the size of the Sun's projected image and the
distance between the pinhole and the image, you will be able to
calculate the diameter of the Sun.
Required Items:
a friend to help you, a broom handle (or mop handle or long

straight piece of wood of similar dimensions), a ruler (marked
in centimeters), two envelopes (or two 5 x 7 index cards), a
pencil, masking tape, one stickpin.
Number of Observations needed:
1
Timing of Observations:
near noon on a bright sunny day
Procedure:
Preparation:
Use the stickpin to poke a small hole near the center of one of
the envelopes. Mark a location near the top of the broom handle
with masking tape (this is where your friend will hold the
envelope with the pin-hole). Mark another location near the end
of the broom handle with masking tape (this is where you will
observe and mark the image). Carefully measure the distance
between your two marked locations on your broom handle.
Make your measurement to the nearest 0.1 centimeter and
record here: ___________ cm.
Observation:
Caution: never stare directly at the Sun. Gather your friend,
marked broom handle, two envelopes, pencil, and then head
outside. With your friend holding the envelope with the pinhole
at the upper marked position and you holding the other envelope
at the lower marked location, align the broom handle such that a
small faint image of the Sun's disk is seen on the lower
envelope. You may find it convenient to actually sit on the
ground for this procedure. With a pencil, carefully mark the
location of opposite sides of the Sun's disk. Here is a link
showing a diagram of the
setup
.
Calculation:
From your marked envelope, carefully measure the size of the
projected image of the Sun's disk to the nearest 0.1 centimeter
and record here: __________ cm.
Next, use the relationship below to calculate the Sun's diameter

in kilometers. Note that the distance to the Sun is 1.5 x 10
8
km.
Sun's diameter in kilometers image diameter in
centimeters
------------------------------------- = -----------------------------------
-------
Distance to the Sun in kilometers distance between image
and pinhole in cm
Record your calculated value for the diameter of the Sun
______________________ km
Setup Diagram
Moon Position Activity (25 points)
: Over a period of at least three consecutive evenings, you will
make careful observation of the Moon's changes in appearance
and position.
Required Items:
a notebook to take notes or make a sketch (bring your red
flashlight), you may take digital photos if you wish.
3
3 consecutive nights, around (and after) sunset, a few days
after the Moon is new. Your instructor will inform you what the
appropriate viewing days are in the term.
Procedure:
Choose a location with a good view of the western horizon from
which you can clearly observe the Sun at sunset. Since we will
be timing our observations a few days after the Moon is new,

the Moon should be visible in the sky at (and for a while after)
sunset. It is important that you make all of your observations
from the same location and at the same time. You may want to
mark the location with a piece of tape to insure you are
observing from the same location each time.
First measurement:
This measurement is important. It will be used as a reference
point for all future measurements. Arrive a little early and try to
find a suitable reference object in the distance near the horizon.
Look for a distinctive tree, building, rock formation, or other
object. Pick something you will remember and be able to easily
spot each time you come to observe. Mark the location and
description of your reference object in your notebook.
For Each Observation:
Make a note in your notebook about appearance of the Moon
and its location in the sky. You may make a sketch if you wish.
Note any changes from the previous day's observation. Be sure
to note the location, date, and time of your observations
.
Location of Observations:
_______________________________________________
Observation (1) Date ____________________Time __________
pm
Horizontal angular measurement ___________ degrees
Vertical angular measurement ___________ degrees
Appearance
_____________________________________________
pm
Appearance
_____________________________________________
pm

Appearance
_____________________________________________
Angular Measurement:
As shown below, you can use your fingers (or hand) to estimate
angles. Using your measured angles, it is possible to determine
the angular change in the Moon's position from day to day. You
will need to make two angular measurements for each
observation - one horizontal angular measurement and one
vertical angular measurement. Your horizontal measurements
are made from the reference object/point to the Moon. Your
vertical measurements are made from the horizon to the Moon.
Fully extend your arm and use the finger/hand guidelines to
make your angular measurements.
Questions:
Describe any changes in the Moon's appearance from
observation to observation.
Describe any change in Moon's position in the sky from
observation to observation.
Using the methods laid out above, what is your estimate of the
daily amount of angular change in the Moon's position?
Star Count Activity (25 points)
: Determine the number of stars visible to the naked eye by
collecting sample star counts over a small area of the sky.
Required Items:
a ruler (marked in centimeters), one small cardboard tube (the
center tube from a roll of toilet paper is ideal. Note: the length
of the tube
must
be greater than its width.), red-light flashlight (or tape a piece
of red cellophane or plastic over a white-light flashlight). Using
a regular white-light flashlight will interfere with your night

vision.
3, each at a different location as detailed below.
clear, dark
moonless
night
Procedure:
Preparation:
Carefully measure the length of your cardboard tube. Make
your measurement to the nearest 0.1 centimeter
and record here: L = _______ cm.
Next, carefully measure the diameter of your cardboard tube.
Make your measurement to the nearest 0.1 centimeter
and record here: D = _______ cm.
Observation:
On a clear, dark,
moonless
night, allow a few minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark,
then hold the tube up to your eye then count and record the
number of stars that you can see through the tube. Hold the tube
steady, with your eye at the center of the tube's opening, during
each star count. Do this ten times, choosing random areas of the
sky to measure. Be sure to sample all directions equally.
Calculation:
You can estimate the total number of naked-eye stars visible in
the night sky by using: the length (L) of the cardboard tube, the
diameter (D) of the cardboard tube, and the number of stars in
your sample (N
SAMPLE
). Use your measurements and the formula below to estimate the
number of naked-eye stars visible in the night sky. For anyone
interested, a derivation of this formula can be found at the
bottom of the page.
Your answer is an estimate of the total number of stars in the
night sky that are visible to the naked eye at this particular

location.
Follow this procedure three times: once in a city, once in a rural
location away from city lights and once in another location. In
the end, you should have
three different estimations of stars for three different locations
. Make sure you record the locations, dates, and times of your
three sets of observations on the next page.
Star Count Observations and Data
Location of Observation (1):
____________________________________________
Date ____________________Time __________ pm
Total Number of Sample Stars Observed ___________
Calculated Number of Visible Stars ___________
____________________________________________
Date ____________________Time __________ pm
Calculated Number of Visible Stars ___________
____________________________________________
Date ____________________Time __________ pm
Calculated Number of Visible Stars _________________
Question: Discuss possible reasons why your observed number
of stars might be different at each of your observation
locations.
If you want to know where the formula comes from.... continue
reading below...
Constellation Activity (25 points)
: Locate five constellations.
Required Items:

Night Sky Planisphere, red-light flashlight (or tape a piece of
red cellophane or plastic over a white-light flashlight). Using a
regular white-light flashlight will interfere with your night
vision.
1
a clear, dark night when the moon is not prominent (ideally)
Use your Night Sky Planisphere to identify any five
constellations in the night sky. If you are in the Northern
Hemisphere, also find the Big Dipper and the North Star
(Polaris). Submit the names of the five constellations you
found, describe how you found Polaris, and comment about how
easy (or hard) it was to use the star chart to locate
constellations. Do the constellations in the sky look like the
ones on the star chart? If not, how do they differ?

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