Astronomy Sky Motions

Astronomy Review Sheet Sky Motions 1. Vocabulary: Match each of these words to its definition: altitude a. the wobbling of the Earth like a top circumpolar week transiting (of a star) latitude rotation Tropics (of Cancer, Capricorn) sidereal day solar day precession ecliptic Circles (such as Arctic) zenith celestial equator zodiac astrology meridian equator revolution local noon b. the time it takes Earth to make one trip around the Sun c. constellations that are always in the sky, never rising or setting d. time based on the Sun’s motion from noon to noon e. ancient belief that the planets and Sun affected human affairs f. path of the Sun in the sky g. when the Sun is at its highest point in the sky h. line that runs from N to S and through the zenith i. the overhead point j. line of declination above the equator k. the place on earth where all stars are sometimes visible l. time based on the true rotation of a planet m. the constellations along the ecliptic n. map lines on Earth running parallel to the Equator o. when an object crosses the meridian p. at these latitudes, it is possible to have a 24 hour day/ night q. unit of time created for the sky gods r. the measure in degrees of an object’s height above the horizon s. the time it takes Earth to make one spin on its axis t. at these latitudes, the Sun is overhead one day of the year 2. Explain how the stars in sky appear to move in daily (diurnal) motion: here, at the Equator, in the southern hemisphere and at the poles. When/if they rise, in what directions do they drift? 3. Contrast these groups of constellations: circumpolar and seasonal. Which type are the zodiac? How does the number of circumpolar groups vary with latitude? 4. Explain why we see different constellations in different seasons. 5. What types of objects appear to move along the zodiac? (SPAM) 6. Match each of these numbers to its place in the statements below: NUMBER BANK The tilt of Earth’s axis _______ The length of Earth’s rotation __________ The length of a precessional cycle __________ The length of a solar day on Earth _________ Stars rise ____ minutes earlier/later (circle correct answer) each day. The number of constellations in the zodiac ____ The altitude of Polaris in Grosse Pointe _______ The length of Earth’s revolution __________ 7. Astronomy is the oldest known science. What 3 needs did it fulfill for early civilizations? 8. Where in the sky do the stars move the fastest? The slowest? 9. Where on Earth can you see the most stars over the course of a year? Why? 10. What is the relationship between Polaris and latitude? 11. What are the two observed effects of precession from Earth?