Observing Bright Stars: Project Checkup

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Berdi
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Project
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the methodology for conducting an observing project of Bright Stars in astrophysics, specifically using the Hour Angle (HA) and Local Sidereal Time (LST) to determine star positions. It is established that at the time a star crosses the meridian, its HA is 0, making LST equivalent to the star's Right Ascension (RA). The conversation also clarifies that Greenwich Sidereal Time (GST) does not relate directly to the Sun's position, emphasizing the importance of using the vernal point for accurate measurements.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Hour Angle (HA) and its significance in celestial navigation.
  • Familiarity with Local Sidereal Time (LST) and its calculation.
  • Knowledge of Right Ascension (RA) and its role in locating celestial objects.
  • Basic principles of Universal Time (UT) and its conversion to sidereal time.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the calculation of Greenwich Sidereal Time (GST) and its applications in astronomy.
  • Study the methods for timing the transit of the vernal point for celestial observations.
  • Explore the use of Stellarium software for simulating star positions and transits.
  • Learn about the relationship between celestial coordinates and Earth’s rotation.
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy students, astrophysics researchers, and amateur astronomers interested in improving their observational techniques and understanding celestial navigation principles.

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.
 

Similar threads

Graduate The Habitable Exoplanet Hunting Project
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
High School Neutron star 4U 1820-30 spins at 716 revolutions per second
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
Undergrad Celestial sphere and visible stars
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
Undergrad How to find the position of a celestial object in the sky?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Graduate How Can You Determine the Right Ascension of a Star with a Meridian Circle?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Undergrad Sidereal Time: Clarifying Contradictory Definitions
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Undergrad Where can I find publicly accessible data from observatories in Europe?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad A busy and interesting night sky in Mackinaw City
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
2K
High School What Could Explain the Mysterious Beam of Plasma Seen in the Sky in 2017?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K