The Motion of Stars: How They Move and What Causes It

Question #1: What is the azimuth of the direction North? 

AZM: 359° 34’ 

Question #2: What is the azimuth of the direction South? 

AZM: 180° 00’ 

Question #3: What is the azimuth of the direction West? 

AZM: 275° 22’ 

Question #4: What is the altitude of the point in the sky that is straight up above you? 

Altitude: +74° 24’ 

Question #5: What is the name of the point in the sky that is directly overhead? 

Name: Theta Geminorum, 34 Gem, HR 2540, HD 50019, SAO 59570, BD +34 1481, HIP 33018, TYC 2444-1113-1, ADS 5532, WDS 06528+ 3358 

Question #6: Click on any three different constellations visible on your screen and list them. 

2 Lacertae, HR 8523, HD 212120, SAO 51904, BD +45 3894, HIP 110351, TYC 3607-2600-1, ADS 15862, WDS 22210+4632 

Scheat, Beta Pegasi, 53 Peg, HR 8775, HD 217906, SAO 90981, BD +27 4480, HIP 113881, TYC 2243-1831-1, ADS 16483, WDS 23038+2805 

Auriga 

Question #7: What  constellation  is the big dipper a part of? 

Constellation: Ursa Major 

Question #8: Find the star in the Big Dipper named "Megrez". Describe which star this is (in terms of its location in the handle or the cup). 

Name: Megrez 

Type: Double Star 

Altitude: +15° 53’ 

Azimuth: 11° 08’ 

Question #9: Place the cursor (+) over the star that did not move.  What is the name of this star? 

Name: Polaris, Lodestar, Navigatoria, North Star, Alpha Ursae Minoris, 1 UMi, HR 424, HD 8890, SAO 308, BD +88 8, HIP 11767, TYC 4628-0237-1, ADS 1477, WDS 

Question #10: The star whose name you just found has a much more common name. Do some research in your textbook or on the web and find the very common name of that star. 

The North Star or the Pole Star. 

Question #11: Define the term "Spring stars". 

Spring stars are the astronomical asterism connecting the Virgo, Leo, and Bootes constellations. These stars are normally visible in the south eastern sky from the northern hemisphere in months of March and May. 

Question #12: Look at the sky on Skygazer.    Click on several of the constellations shown in the circle above.  Name 3 "winter" constellations. 

Capella, Goat Star, Shepherd’s Star, Singer, Alpha Aurigae, 13 Aur, HR 1708, HD 34029, SAO 40186, BD +45 1077, HIP 24608, TYC 3358-3141-1, ADS 3841, WDS 

Menkalinan, Beta Aurigae, 34 Aur, HR 2088, HD 40183, SAO 40750, BD +44 1328, HIP 28360, TYC 2924-2742-1, ADS 4556, WDS 05595+4457 

Elnath, Alnath, Beta Tauri, 112 Tau, HR 1791, HD 35497, SAO 77168, BD +28795, HIP 25428, TYC 1859-1470-1, WDS 05263+2836 

Name: Leo 

Azimuth: 159° 13’ 

Altitude: +55° 51’ 

Question #13: What is the altitude and direction of Leo early in the evening during the winter? NOTE 1: For the altitude, just give the degrees, not any of the extra numbers that appear behind it.  NOTE 2: For direction, state a direction like "South", or "Northeast", etc. -- you should be able to figure out the direction from the azimuth that is given (see question 1 - 3 above). 

Altitude: +21° 55’ 

Direction: East 

Question #14: Where is Leo now (altitude and direction)? 

Altitude: +19° 05’ 

Direction: West 

Question #15: Find one of the Winter constellations you listed in question #12.    Where is it located now that it's Spring (altitude and direction)? 

Constellation Name: Capella, Goat Star, Shepherd’s Star, Singer, Alpha Aurigae, 13 Aur, HR 1708, HD 34029, SAO 40186, BD +45 1077, HIP 24608, TYC 3358-3141-1, ADS 3841, WDS 

Altitude: None 

Direction: None 

Question #16: Where is Leo located now that it is Summertime (altitude and direction)?  

Altitude: None 

Direction: None 

Question #17: Do you agree with this statement by a non astronomy student? Why or why not?  Explain! "In the Winter you can only see the Winter stars. If you want to see any other stars, like the Spring stars, you must wait until Spring." (Hint: Leo is considered to be a Spring constellation.  Think about your answers to the last three questions.)  

The shifting of the earth due to its orbiting around the Sun causes the stars to shift. The constellations tends to move out of sight below the western horizon leading to the creation of an entirely new constellation. The spring stars appear during spring season and the winter stars appear during winter season. Thus, it is possible not to see the winter stars during spring season. The shifting of the stars occurs because of the 4 minutes times’ difference. 

Question #18: What is the "13th sign" of the zodiac - not acknowledged by most astrologers? 

The Ophiuchus. 

Question #19: What is the date of your birth (don't include the year), and what is your "sign" according to astrologers? (NOTE: most Americans know their sign. If you don't, again do some research... look in a newspaper or search the web.) 

Date of Birth: 5 th August. 

Zodiac sign: Leo 

Question #20: What is your "real sign"? (What constellation was the Sun really in at the time of your birth)? 

Real sign: Cancer