Stellarum Project - Lab Report Example

Stellarium Project Activity I Using the Stellarium software to view the sky properties offers different observations on the display of the software. In night mode the color changes and the view has a red focus on the objects. Changing or controlling light pollution and turning the ground offers an extended view for all the constellations. Dragging the view left or right and up or down offers a display of the north, east, south and west sections of the sky with a zoom capability on specific objects.

Performing a search using the text box provided directs the focus on the particular planets, in this case scenario, Mercury and Venus. This sis simply done via inputting the name and pressing search, and in turn the cursor automatically display the planets and their respective information. These planets are placed closer to a star, the sun, represented by the shining object in the simulation. The choice selection of a star performed included the Canopus star which is neighbored by other small stars in within the constellation.

Activity II#1: Motion of the StarsQ1 - The celestial bodies tend to move east when we change or rotate the field of view within the simulation software. Subsequently, this is how the earth moves when the earth rotates from west to east.Q2 - The first forwarding of time, with the fields of view one notices the stars moving from one direction to the other, in a clockwise manner.Q3 – The Ursa Major constellation has various bodies in it. It is referred to as the Great Bear as represented by the constellation art provided by the toolbar function.

#2 - Zodiacal ConstellationsQ1 - The elliptical line passes via approximately 10 constellations as previewed in the simulation screen environment. Q2 - These constellations include the Capricornus, Pisces, Libra, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus, Leo, Aquarius and Virgo. Q3 - The ecliptic actually goes through 9 constellationsQ4 - This is the expected answer after one goes through and counts the constellation within the ecliptic line. Q5 - The sun is in the Virgo ConstellationQ6 - This is an obvious expectation for the function performed.

#3 - Seasonal Sky ChangesThe different constellations can be viewed via dragging around the focus cursor to find them manually or via the improvised search tool which directs one to a specific constellation. #4 - Special Places on EarthQ1 - The sun and stars moves west in an anticlockwise manner. Q2 - With respect to Polaris, the sun and stars move in an anticlockwise manner when the function is performed. Q3 - The sun is going to set given the galactic longitudinal positioning at the particular time.

#5 - The Suns Maximum Altitude Q1 - The sun is expected to be along the galactic longitude and latitude – 60o 28’46.0” and moving.Q2- The degrees of latitude is +58o 04’14.5”Q3-This is the expected output result from the simulation which represents the sun’s positioning.Activity #6: Light PollutionQ1 - The city is Adelphi is situates in metropolitan area of New York which is a large city. Q2 - The software resemble how the sky looks like from your neighborhood via the use of powerful telescope.

Yes, I can view the Milky Way. Q3- The sky becomes clear with no view of the major space bodies. Q4 - At pollution setting of 5 and above one cannot view the Milky Way at all. #7: Blast Off From EarthQ1 - The earth displays phases as seen from the moon.Q2 - The orbits of the planets dwarf planets are anticlockwise from west to east in accordance to the ecliptic line. Q3 - The Galilean and Cosmos satellites give a represented similar line of movement with respect to the view form Jupiter. Q4 - The ecliptic movements and orbit of the planet move from east to west with respect from the suns position in the simulation environment.

Q5-The orbits of Neptune and Pluto are different from those of other major planets in that the line of orbit is from east to west around the sun. Activity III Choice BThe interesting ideas regarding the use of the planetarium software offer one with the knowledge of the universe through detailed views of the space celestial bodies and the various stars that do exist, with respect to the viewing for earth. ReferencesStellarium. (2013). S.l.: Book On Demand Ltd.Monks, N. (2005). Astronomy with a home computer.

New York: Springer.