AY102 Introduction to Astronomy Lab

QUIZ 1 Review

Updated 9/19/2001

Instructions: Select the best answer from the choices. Use your Lab notes, Lab manual and/or AY101 textbook. When finished press the "Correct Review" button and the correct answers will appear next to yours. This only works if you anwer every question. This Quiz has been tested on Netscape and MS Explorer Browsers
 
 

1 Lab 1: The Sky As The World Turns

a) Below is a view sky from Tuscaloosa in a September evening looking north. In the grid, the Right Ascension lines originate from the North Celestial Pole (declination 90 degrees) while the declination lines are circles centered on the North Celestial Pole 10 degrees apart:

How are the stars moving from this point of view?: 

Which of the following constellations is NOT circumpolar?:

Between what two Right Ascension lines can I find the constellation Hercules?:

Between what two Declination lines can I find the constellation Hercules?:

 b) Below is a close up view of Ursa Minor. The scale on the right gives you the Altitude measurement. Using this picture what is the approximate Latitude of Tuscaloosa? 

c) What would happen to the Altitude of Ursa Major if we traveled towards the Equator
 
 
 
 
 

2 Lab 2: The Yearly Path of the Sun

Below are two views of the southern horizon from Tuscaloosa at different times of the year. The Scale on the right gives you the Altitude, and the one on the top Azimuth The Altitude circles are separated by 10 degrees each

a) From the above picture answer:

What time of day is it?: 

What is the Altitude of the Sun: 

What is this day likely to be?:

What will be the length of the day compared to the rest of the year?:
 
 

b) From the above picture answer:

Is the sun right overhead?: 

What is the Altitude of the Sun: 

What is this day likely to be?:

What will be the length of the day compared to the rest of the year?:
 

 c) Select the best Answer.  The reason why days are cooler in the winter compared to the summer in the Norther Hemisphere is because:
1 We are closer to the sun in the summer than in the winter.
2 The sun rises later and sets earlier in the winter so the days are shorter.
3 The sun is a variable star, so it reduces and increases its heat output in a yearly cycle
  d) Below is a map of the sky from an undisclosed location on Earth. Lines from the center are Azimuth and the Circles are Altitude lines.

Where on Earth is this view from?: 
The sun is on the Constellation Gemini on June 21st. How long do I have to wait to see a sunset at this location on this date
  3. Lab 3. Lenses and Telescopes

a) Below is a ray diagram of a lens and an object. The dotted lines represent rays of light. Which arrow represents the image formed by the lens?


 
 

b) Is the image erect or inverted?    c) Is the image real or virtual? 
 
 

d) At what points on the axis can you find the foci of the lens? 
 
 

e) You have 2 eyepieces that you can place behind the lens above to make a telescope. One eyepiece has a focal length of 100mm. The other has a focal length of 10mm. WHICH ONE will give me the largest magnification?


 
 
 
 

4. Lab 4 Angular Size and Parallax

a) If you measure the angular size of an object with a pinhole protractor, HOW will the angular size change as you move farther away from the object?

It will become : 

  b) Below is a picture setup to obtain the parallax angle of Sirius. Which angle is TWICE the Parallax angle of Sirius?  

 
   



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 c) As the distance to a star increases, will its parallax angle become the SAME, LARGER, or SMALLER ?  

 
 


 
 

Correct: Incorrect: Percent:
 
 

Note: This grade reflects how you would have done on Quiz 1 if you had taken it just now.
If you have any questions or problems e-mail me at gomez002@bama.ua.edu

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