Part 2D: A “Real” Asteroid?
Chris does a review of the asteroid light curve in this 3:12 video:
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Answer these two questions in your journal.
- a.) Review: Why can we see some asteroids?
b.) What data do you think Tyler gave to Chris to make the light curve in the video?
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ACTIVITY – Planning an Observation
We will use our Skynet Telescope, Promt6, in Chile.
A PDF of a textfile of the commands of this Part are also available – remember to change the Messier Object (see instructions below).
Quorum Commands Section 2 Part D – PDF
Let’s start by revisiting our umbrella model of the celestial sphere. Add your answers to the following questions to your journal.
1. How would you have to hold the umbrella to model what the sky looks like from a location in Chile?
- Hint: If you first position the umbrella sky as if you are at the equator, that might be helpful.
2. What are some problems with our umbrella sky model when thinking about telescope observations from Chile?
- Use the model to understand that there are some targets that we can see from the Northern hemisphere that we will not be able to see from Chile.
3. Use what you learned to plan an observation of a Messier Object that is visible to the Prompt6 telescope.
- Do not repeat any of the Messier Objects we used previously. These were: M104, M6, M68, M83, M5, M107.
4. The link below will give you a new window with a Quorum Box. Remember to change the settings to what your object needs.