From Observation Exercises in Astronomy by Lauren Jones, Pearson Education/Addison Wesley, 2011

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From Observation Exercises in Astronomy by Lauren Jones, Pearson Education/Addison Wesley, 2011.

 

Description

 

At most locations on Earth, there are seasonal changes throughout the year. Because one year is the length of time it takes Earth to orbit the Sun, these changes must be associated in some way with Earth's journey around the Sun. In addition to the seasonal weather changes, there are seasonal changes that involve astronomical observations. One change is in the pattern os stars observable at night, which changes throughout the year. Another change is in the location of sunrise and sunset, as well as the path of the Sun across the sky throughout the year. Observations of these phenomena can reveal the cause of the changes in the weather patterns. Although the change in location on the horizon of sunrise and sunset does not cause the weather pattern changes per se, the changes we observe in this phenomenon are due to the same characteristic of Earth that causes seasonal changes.  

 

This exercise incorporates planetarium software observations to create model of the Earth-Sun system and deduce the cause of the seasons.

 

 1. Hypothesize the cause of the seasonal changes observed on Earth. 

It does not matter whether your hypothesis is correct or not. What matters is whether you can complete enough about your hypothesis to predict the outcomes of your observations. It is also important that your hypothesis be testable. After you have written one down, ask yourself whether you could verify this hypothesis with data you could collect. 

Record your hypothesis here.

 

2. Predict the outcomes of the following observations, assuming your hypothesis is correct.

You will observe the position of the sunrises and sunsets from your location on Earth at least two times a month for one year (using planetarium software, so you can so this quickly). You will also measure the length of time it takes the Sun to cross the sky at least two times a month for one year (again, using planetarium software). Finally, you will note the name of the constellation closest to the cardinal point east at sunset at least two times per month for one year (using planetarium software.

Record the following predictions here.

 

a) Position of sunrise/sunset two times per month over a one-year period. (You do not need to predict exact locations for 24 different days. Simply state how you think these may or may not vary relative to one another.)

 

b) Length of time it takes for the Sun to go from sunrise to sunset two times per month over a one-year period. You do not need to predict exact time spans for 24 different days. Simply state how you think these may or may not vary relative to one another.)

 

c) The name of the constellation closest to east at sunset two times per month over a one-year period. (Don't be too rigid with this one. Perhaps simply state what you expect to see on January 1st, how often you expect to see a new constellation, and in what order you expect to see them.)