Universe Sampler  Naked Eye

Object List I:  For All Telescope/Binocular Users and All Naked-Eye Observers  

Note:  Object List I was done, submitted, and approved in 2014 for the Binocular/Telescope part of this Observing Program. No changes have been made to it.

A:    Fifteen Bright Stars:

Learn the proper names of 15 of the 22 of the brightest stars (see list below) that can be seen from your latitude and the constellation in which they are found.  Roughly sketch the stars that make up the constellation boundary and label the Bright Stars.  Note any color seen.

B.    Estimate the angular distance between the following sets of stars:

            Aldebaran and Betelgeuse:    
            Date:  4/5/2012  Time:  9:45 PM CDT
            22 degrees (2 fists and 1 finger)               
        [actual distance: 21 degrees 21 minutes 26.3 seconds from Stellerium]

            Deneb and Vega:
        Date:   6/2/2012  Time:  10:40 PM CDT                                  
            24 degrees (2 fists and 2 fingers)             
        [actual distance:  23 degrees 42 minutes 7 seconds from Stellarium]

C.    Estimate the azimuth and altitude       (record the date and time for this exercise):

            Capella:                                         
            date: 11/30/2012    time:  7:14 PM CST  azimuth:     60o     altitude:   35 o              
            [actual azimuth:  53 degrees  altitude: 31 degrees] (Stellerium)

            Altair:                                            
        date: 11/30/2012    time:  7:15 PM CST  azimuth:   250o       altitude:   30 o             
            [actual azimuth:  258 degrees   altitude:  28 degrees] (Stellerium)

D.  2 Variable Stars—Choose 2 of the following variable stars and make 4 brightness each:

Beta Persei: 2.1 to 3.4
Rho Persei: 3.3 to 4.0 
viewed from Brommelsiek Park

The MDT times in the table below were done in the Apgar Visitor Center Parking lot in Glacier National Park.

 E.    2 Meteors

       Plot the path of two meteors on a star chart.

Object List III—For Naked-Eye Observers Only

A. Objects for Which you Have a Choice:

1) 3 Planets of your choice—Observe any three plants other than Earth. Either sketch the planet’s position in or near a constellation, or record the planet’s azimuth and altitude.

2) 1 Comet of your choice—If no naked eye comet is available, plot the path of any comet on a star chart with at least 4 position points.

Comet Name:  Comet C/2011 L4 PANSTARRS 3/11/2013, 7:38 PM CDT 

Observations: Seen from the Dog Area and later at the Astronomy Area at Broemmelsiek Park with JT... borderline naked eye at the time. The comet was approximately 4 degrees west and 1/2 degrees above the 20-hour crescent moon which made it easier to find. It showed well with 30x80 binoculars with a tail 1/6th the field of view and a bright core. It was less than ten degrees above the western horizon. I watched the comet until forced to move and then until it sank below the horizon. The comet was naked eye at times.

B. Moon Features—Observe the following moon features during the time period specified:

Roughly sketch the outline of the moon and pinpoint the feature that you are observing.