TRAVERSING THE NIGHT SKY (Lecturer: Mark Ivan Gabo Ugalino) March 2, 2018 (Friday)

UNIT EXAM

According to your understanding of celestial spheres and the coordinate systems, you must be able
to provide a general formula in obtaining the altitude of the Sun. This is a guided exercise that will test
your fluency on the topic. Check your answer before proceeding to the next letter. (18 points)

1. What coordinate system is in use if the angular measurements reported are called the altitude
and azimuth of an object, respectively? Why is it called as such? (2 points)
2. Draw a two-dimensional projection of the celestial sphere, where the observer is at its center.
Identify ALL reference points used in this diagram. (2 points)
3. Based on your diagram on number 2, locate and draw the celestial equator. How did you come
up with its location? (2 points)
4. The obliquity of the __(1 point)__’s rotational axis is directly related to the daily solar path.
However, the daily solar path and Earth’s seasons depend on the location of the Sun on the
__(1 point)___. Considering the previous statements, locate and draw the daily solar path on the
celestial sphere during (a) equinoxes, (b) solstices. (1.5 points) What does it imply about the
period by which the observer can view the Sun? (0.5 point) (4 points)
5. Due to the limitation of our model diagram, we can only determine the altitude of the Sun during
noon and midnight. How can we make it manifest on our diagram? Label the points that
demonstrate the position of the Sun during noon and midnight. What is the importance of those
points along the daily solar path? (3 points)
6. Given that the latitude of the observer is L, the obliquity is 𝛿, determine the altitude 𝛼 of the Sun
during equinoxes and solstices at noon, and at midnight. You will have to provide four equations:
equinox at noon, equinox at midnight, solstice (summer and winter) at noon, solstice (summer
and winter) at midnight. (5 points)

Hint: The altitude ranges from -90 deg to 90 deg. Please draw your diagrams clearly. I will not credit
any point to a questionable answer. Make sure that you can convince your audience. This exercise is
a model by which one can introduce the concept of the celestial sphere to a layman.

Based on your understanding of the following concepts, draw a diagram that defines them without
having to explain them in detail.

1. Circumpolar stars (1.5 point)

2. Seasons and the ecliptic (1.5 point)
3. Equatorial coordinate system (1.5 point)
4. Disadvantage of the Alt-Az system (1.5 point)

Shout ‘I love UP AstroSoc, sana love niyo rin ako’ when you get at this part of the exam. (1 point)

END OF CELESTIAL SPHERE EXAM

TOTAL: 25 points

BONUS: Answer the following question in one sentence. (2 points)

“Nahihilo, nalilito. Asan ba ako sa’yo? Aasa ba ako sa’yo?”