AST 3018 Homework 1: Solar System Orbits, Sun Positions, and Moon Phases - Prof. Elizabeth, Assignments of Astronomy

Download AST 3018 Homework 1: Solar System Orbits, Sun Positions, and Moon Phases - Prof. Elizabeth and more Assignments Astronomy in PDF only on Docsity! AST 3018 Homework 1 – Due September 11, 2008 1. The observed orbital synodic periods of Venus and Mars are 583.9 days and 779.9 days respectively. Calculate their sidereal periods. 2. Which planet in the solar system has the shortest synodic period and why? 3. List the right ascension and declination of the Sun when it is located at the vernal equinox, the summer solstice, the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. 4. Calculate the altitude of the Sun along the meridian on the first day of summer for an observer at latitude of 42 degrees north. What is the maximum altitude of the Sun on the first day of winter at the same latitude. 5. Circumpolar stars are defined as stars that never set below the horizon of the local observer or stars that are never visible above the horizon. Calculate the range of declinations for these two groups of stars for an observer at the latitude L. 6. At what latitude(s) on Earth will the Sun never set when it is at the summer solstice? Is there any latitude on Earth that the Sun will never set when it is at the vernal equinox? 7. Describe the daily, monthly and annual motion and appearance of the moon for an observer at the North Pole. 8. Would a lunar eclipse occurring in January be visible from the South Pole? Why or why not? Would this eclipse be visible from any location on the Earth’s equator? 9. If the Sun sets at 6:00 p.m at about what time does the waning gibbous Moon rise? 10. Explain why summers are warmer than winters.