Lecture 7.
A.
IAU Symposium* -- Sub Ballroom A, stop by registration desk
B. Class Business
- Homework Questions to next lecture;
- No reading for Fri. - just homework and study for
exam!*
- Finish Ch. 4 for Mon.
C. Friday's Muddiest point: Why are orbits elliptical? It's complicated!
D. Declination
(+/-
)
& Right Ascension (RA)
- these celestial coordinates work just like terrestrial latitudes and longitudes
- declination is analogous to latitude, and is measured in degrees above and below the
celestial equator, 0o at celest. equator and +/- 90o at celest. poles
- right ascension is analogous to longitude
- zero point is the vernal equinox, the point where the ecliptic meets the celestial
equator
- is usu. measured in time, not degrees: since the Earth rotates 360o in about 24
hours, each hour is 15o
- a
schematic* of the
coordinate system and a
constellation map*
may be found here
E.
Foucault's Pendulum* -- a proof the Earth is rotating!
F.
Seasons*
G.
Days & Time*
H.
Tides*
I.
Lunar Phases*
J.
Eclipses*