question archive From Observation Exercises in Astronomy by Lauren Jones, Pearson Education/Addison Wesley, 2011
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.)
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1. Hypotheses on the cause of the seasonal changes observed on Earth.
> The Earth's orbit around the Sun is elliptical.
Yes it is testable. This can be verified using the data collected.
It is elliptical or slightly oval-shaped which means that there is one point in the orbit where Earth is closest to the Sun or farther from
it.
2. Orion, the Hunter is found to be the brightest star at night time. It is closest to the cardinal point east at sunset at least two times per month for one year.
a. The position of sunrise and sunset varies two times per month over a one-year period. Because our measurement of time goes a little farther away until corrected each leap year. Every four years the times should be about the same.
b. The length of time it takes for the Sun to go from sunrise to sunset two times per month over a one-year period also varies. The Sun takes two (2) to three (3) minutes to fully move down below the horizon But the exact time taken by the Sun to fully set depends on various factors such as thickness of the atmosphere, time of the year and the latitude.
c. There are seven (7) constellations you can observe in the Northern Hemisphere on January 1st, namely:
Canis Major, Cetus, Eridanus, Gemini, Orion, Perseus and Taurus
Step-by-step explanation
1. The Earth's orbit around the Sun is elliptical.
It is testable and can be verified because Earth's orbit is almost a perfect circle; its eccentricity is only 0.0167
2. a The times of sunrise and sunset do not remain constant. Because our measurement of time goes a little farther away until corrected each leap year. Every four years the times should be about the same.
b. The length of time it takes for the Sun to go from sunrise to sunset two times per month over a one-year period also varies depends upon the environmental factors like time of year and latitude.
c. From December 1 to February 8, winter happens. on this season, the constellations closest to east at sunset two times per month over a one-year period are Canis Major, Cetus, Eridanus, Gemini, Orion, Perseus and Taurus
