Equatorial Star Maps Astronomers use a system to determine location on the Celestial Sphere similar to what we have on Earth

with latitude and longitude. Unlike the altazimuth system, the Right Ascension / Declination coordinate system does not change with the time of night. Declination (similar to latitude) is measured from the Celestial Equator and Right Ascension (similar to Longitude) is measured from the Celestial Poles.

Begin by copying the equatorial star charts. On this website go to ASTRONOMY then STAR MAPS then choose EQUATORIAL STAR MAPS. Youll need star maps 2 and 3 for this activity.

Notice the curved line on the star map. This is the ecliptic, the path of the Sun. Look underneath the line and youll see a series of dates. This is the exact position of the Sun for that date. For example, look under the ecliptic and find August 1st. What constellation is the Sun in on that date? BE CERTAIN THAT YOU ARENT USING THE DATES ALONG THE TOP OF THE MAP- THEY ARE USED FOR SOMETHING ELSE WHICH WELL COVER LATER. Check your answer at the end of this lesson later. Check your birth date along the ecliptic. What constellation was the Sun in on your birthday? You should notice that its not your horoscope sign. The wobble of the Earth on its axis changes the position of Right Ascension and Declination over time. Thousands of years ago when astrology was started the Sun was in your horoscope sign, but not today.

40 20 0

Celestial Equator

-20

-40

Declination is measured in degrees north (+) and south (-) from the Celestial Equator. Remember that there are 60 arcminutes in one degree, and 60 arcseconds in 1 arcminute. For our purposes we wont need to get that exact on these maps. Declination is found in one degree increments along the sides of the map. To use declination try the following: find the constellation Cetus (its on the right hand side of the above map near the center). Now find the star Mira in that constellation. What is the declination of Mira? Use a ruler to draw an imaginary line from Mira to the side of the map. Find the star Mekab in the same constellation and figure out its declination. Check your answers at the end of this lesson later.

12h 00m

9h 00m

6h 00m

3h 00m

0h 00m

Right Ascension is measured in hours, minutes and seconds from the point where the sun crosses the celestial equator going north (Vernal Equinox). The beauty of the system is that it is broken into 24 hours just like our clock- so an hour of Right Ascension equals an hour of clock time. Right Ascension is measured from the bottom of the star map; simply imagine a line going from the object to the bottom of the map and read off the hours, minutes and seconds. Remember, just like clock time there are 60 minutes of Right Ascension in an hour. Answer these questions. Looking at the bottom of the chart, record how many minutes each of the smallest lines are worth. What is the Right Ascension of the star Regulus in Leo the Lion (look along the ecliptic)? What is the Right Ascension of Denebola in the same constellation?

Check your answers at the end of this lesson later.

2010

9h 45 m

15 08

Finding an object or plotting an object on the map is simply reading off the two coordinates. This is the position for the planet Mars for May 25, 2010. Notice that is very close to the ecliptic; planets have to stay close to the suns path. To plot its position find 9h 45 m at the bottom and +15 on the side of the chart. Wherever they intersect is the planet position. Try a few examples. Name the star at the following coordinates: 6h 45m -17 Name the star at the following coordinates: 3h 25m +50 Plot an object at 00h 55m -48 and tell me what constellation its in. Check your answers at the end of the lesson later.

8 PM

The last bit of information on the star map is at the top of the chart. The dates there correspond with the meridian at 8 PM. Remember that the meridian is an imaginary line that runs north, south and through the zenith thereby effectively splitting the sky into an eastern and western half. When an object is on the meridian it is at its highest point above the horizon and therefore the best time to view that object. The blue line is set for a date of February 5th. Anything on that line is on the meridian at 8 PM on that date. Remember that an hour of clock time is equal to an hour of Right Ascension. So if you move one hour to the right (dashed red line) that would be the meridian at 7PM on February 5th, and if you move one hour to the left of the blue line (dashed black line) that would be the meridian at 9 PM on February 5th. Again- each date at the top is set for 8 PM. Using this information you can tell when any object will be visible from your observing site and when it will be best viewed on the meridian.

1 AM

8 PM

In the example above, imagine the date to be February 5th with the time set at 8PM. The meridian is shown by the blue line. What time of night would it be when the meridian is the red line? What time of night would it be when the meridian is the green line? What time would Gemini (check along the ecliptic) be on the meridian on Februray 5th? Check your answers at the end of this lesson.

ANSWERS
ECLIPTIC August 1st: Cancer DECLINATION Mira: -2 Mekab: +4 RIGHT ASCENSION 5 minute intervals Regulus: 10h 10m Denebola: 11h 50m PLOTTING Sirius Mirfak Phoenix MERIDIAN Blue line: 1 AM Green line: 5 PM Gemini: 10 PM

ASSIGNMENT Print the Equatorial Star Map activity, fill out the tables and bring it to class for grading.

Equatorial Star Map Activity

---------------------------------------name

Fill in the information for the following chart

Star/object

Constellation

Right Ascension

Declination

Capella Fomalhaut Arcturus 3 h 08m 23h 05m 9h 30m +40 +15 -8

Fill in the chart using the ecliptic and the observing dates for the meridian. Date March 28 February 29 October 31 July 14 Todays Date Time 5 am 5 pm 12 am 6 am 10 am Sun location (constellation) Zodiac constellation on meridian