29:52 Homework Set #1

Assigned: August 28,2000

Due: September 6,2000

Confused? Don’t go around miserable and despondent! Ask for help and explanation from me. Even better, work on these problems with one or two of your classmates.

1.The position of the planet Neptune is now RA=20^h 25^m, DEC= -19^°.05. Find it on your star chart. Give a sketch showing where it is relative to the constellations. What time of day or night would you see it in the sky?

2.Suppose you observe that Mars is at opposition. Four months later, what is the angle Ð Sun-Earth-Mars? Would you see Mars in the evening or morning sky? Hint: To do this problem, as well as some of those below, you will need data from Appendix 7 of your book.

3.The island of Kauai (in the Hawaiian chain) is at a latitude of 22^°. How high above the northern horizon is the pole star Polaris?

4.The present celestial coordinate of the planet Mars is RA= 9^h 31^m, DEC= +16^°. Find where it is in the sky (using your SC1 chart). What is the angle Ð Sun-Earth-Mars? Would you find Mars in the evening or morning sky? Hint: Look at the dates along ecliptic on your SC1, and think of angular differences.

5.Look at page 37 of your textbook. Do problem #17.