Observing Bright Stars: Project Checkup

  • Thread starter Thread starter Berdi
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Project
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on conducting an observing project of bright stars, focusing on the relationship between Local Sidereal Time (LST), Greenwich Sidereal Time (GST), and Right Ascension (RA). It is clarified that the Hour Angle is zero when a star crosses the meridian, making LST equal to the star's RA. The connection between GST, the sun's RA, and the observer's longitude is also explored, but it is noted that the sun's position does not directly affect sidereal time. Suggestions are made to consider timing the transit of the vernal point instead, as Aries is currently visible in mid-latitudes. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accurately calculating star positions for the project.
Berdi
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
I've been asked by my astrophysics lecture to conduct an observing project of Bright Stars, using the time at which they transit the meridian to locate them on the sky. I was just wondering if you could check my "thoughts" so far?

The Hour Angle of a star is 0 at the time it crosses the meridian, so my LST will be equal to the stars right ascension? So GST will be RAStar + my Longitude?

Now, am I right in thinking that GST would be also equal to the GHA and RA of the sun on that day? So using Universal Time = GHASun -\xi + 12hrs, I can sub in my known RASun, longitude and RAStar in place of GHASun?

Is this remotely correct? I tried to calculate a value, and ran it through using http://www.stellarium.org/" , but it seemed completely wrong.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Berdi said:
Now, am I right in thinking that GST would be also equal to the GHA and RA of the sun on that day?

Why would this be true? The position of the Sun has nothing to do with sidereal time. Since you're trying to find the right ascension of stars in the first place, why not time the transit of the vernal point? Right now, Aries is easily visible in mid-latitudes after sunset.
 

Thread 'Does it make sense to build new radio telescopes?'

TL;DR Summary: In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect alien signals, it will further expand the radius of the so-called silence (or rather, radio silence) of the Universe. Is there any sense in this or is blissful ignorance better? In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect...
View full post »
Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

This is indirectly evidenced by a map of the distribution of gamma-ray bursts in the night sky, made in the form of an elongated globe. And also the weakening of gamma radiation by the disk and the center of the Milky Way, which leads to anisotropy in the possibilities of observing gamma-ray bursts. My line of reasoning is as follows: 1. Gamma radiation should be absorbed to some extent by dust and other components of the interstellar medium. As a result, with an extragalactic origin, fewer...
View full post »

Thread 'Our Beautiful Universe - Photos and Videos'

This thread is dedicated to the beauty and awesomeness of our Universe. If you feel like it, please share video clips and photos (or nice animations) of space and objects in space in this thread. Your posts, clips and photos may by all means include scientific information; that does not make it less beautiful to me (n.b. the posts must of course comply with the PF guidelines, i.e. regarding science, only mainstream science is allowed, fringe/pseudoscience is not allowed). n.b. I start this...
View full post »

Similar threads

B Neutron star 4U 1820-30 spins at 716 revolutions per second
Replies
0
Views
2K
Celestial sphere and visible stars
Replies
6
Views
4K
I How to find the position of a celestial object in the sky?
Replies
2
Views
3K
How Can You Determine the Right Ascension of a Star with a Meridian Circle?
Replies
3
Views
3K
I Where can I find publicly accessible data from observatories in Europe?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Sidereal Time: Clarifying Contradictory Definitions
Replies
1
Views
3K
I A busy and interesting night sky in Mackinaw City
Replies
1
Views
2K
B What Are the Mysterious Zig Zagging 'Stars' in the Night Sky?
Replies
5
Views
4K
B What Could Explain the Mysterious Beam of Plasma Seen in the Sky in 2017?
Replies
8
Views
2K
I The Trouble with TESS: Examining its Limitations in Exoplanet Observations
Replies
2
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top