Some semi-basic Astronomy questions . . .?

Question

Here are some questions I have tried to answer for astronomy class that I can't seem to find the answers to anywhereL

1. What are the celestial coordinates of an object that lies directly south o f the Autmnal Equinox and 40 deg. from the south celestial pole?

2. What are the celestial coord. of an object that lies 15 deg. directly north of the winter solstice?

3. If you were standing on the equator, stars would move in what direction overhead?

4. At the north pole which direction?

5. At the winter solstice, how much less energy per unit area falls on Winnepeg, Canada (50 deg. north latitude) vs. Houston (~29 deg. north latitude)?

6. How many miles are there at the equator per time zone?

7. What is the moon-earth-sun orientation when a full moon is observed?

8. Orientation when a first quarter moon?

9. What is the parallax angle for a (alpha) Centuri (4.2 lightyears away) as viewed from earth at June 1 & Dec. 1?

Answers to ANY of these appreciated!!!

For the guy who asked - it's for Astronomy class, lol. I'm a freshman andthe only prerequisite was algebra. But yeah, I think you can see my grief here . . .

Answer 1

sorry... can only help with 6, 7, and 8. and maybe 3 and 4. ok... will try for more... NO IDEA on 1 and 2, but try the link below.

5.... at winter solstice you know how far the sun is south of the equator: 23.5 degrees. the sun's rays bear straight down upon 23.5 degrees south. somehow the "zenith angle" comes into play, reducing the amount of radiation by some cosine function.

try ch 2 or 3 of:
http://www.powerfromthesun.net/chapter2/Chapter2.htm
for a thorough discussion. :-)


6. there are approximately 24,000 miles around the equator (check exact number) and 24 time zones, so approximately 24,000/24 or 1000 miles per time zone at the equator.

7. The earth is between the sun and the moon at a full moon.... if it is EXACTLY between them, there will be an eclipse of the moon. The moons is rising as the sun is setting.


8. at a first quarter moon, half way between new and full, the moon is overhead as the sun is rising.

ok... 3. stars would move from east to west overhead

4. stars would circle you, counterclockwise, looking up

Answer 2

For 1 and 2, the solstices go 18 0 6 12 for winter, spring, summer and fall respectively. That's hours of Right Ascension

the other number is declination



for 5, get your trigonometric calculator out, you need it.

Look in the book more, the first few chapters are usually boring.

Answer 3

Semi-basic? What class is this for?