Chapter 3 Flashcards
What is the Celestial Sphere?
An imaginary sphere surrounding Earth upon which all Celestial bodies seem to hang from and can be plotted upon.
What is the Celestial Equator?
An imaginary line encircling the sky midway between the north and south Celestial Poles.
What is Right Ascension?
Celestial coordinated similar to terrestrial longitude.
What is Declenation?
The angular distance of a Celestial object north or south of the Celestial equator.
What is the handspan?
The handspan is equal to 15 degrees between your index and pinky finger.
What is the difference between right ascension and declination?
Right ascension is the distance left or right from the prime meridian. Declination is up and down based on the equator.
How many degrees does a star move each hour?
15°.
Which way do the stars travel while looking south?
Clockwise.
What is the heliocentric galaxy?
It was a concept introduced by Copernicus, and the idea that all of the planets in our solar system revolve around the sun.
What is the geocentric galaxy?
The idea that all things rotate around the earth.
How do you find due north using the stars?
You first locate Polaris, then use dubbe and merak as pointers.
How do you find due south using the stars?
There are two ways.
1. Pont one arm to Beta Centauri and the other to Achernar, bring them together and lower them to the horizion. This is near due south.
2. Visually extend the long axis of the southern cross about 4 times its length beyond alpha crucis.
