ASTR 1110 General Astronomy: The Solar System

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ASTR 1110General AstronomyThe Solar System

• Thursday, 02 June 2005

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Todays Plan

• Announcements
• Celestial Coordinates
• Motions of the Sun (really the Earth)
• Seasons
• Changes in Latitude, Changes in Altitude
• Precession
• Constellation Review
• Small Group Discussions

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Announcements

• First Observing Session
• Tonight, 930 pm
• Sommers-Bausch Observatory
• Long-term Observing Projects
• Tell me what youre doing by tomorrow
• Office Hours
• Please come to them!
• Tomorrow Phases, Eclipses, Celestial Navigation
• Here again at first, then up to SBO

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Discussion Question 1

• A common misconception is that the Earths
  seasons are caused by the Earth moving closer to
  and farther from the Sun at different points on
  its orbit.
• How would you test whether or not this is the
  case?

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Discussion Question 2

• The Earths axis is tilted 23.5 with respect to
  the ecliptic plane.
• How would the Earth be different if the axis was
  NOT tilted?