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Annual Motion Lab

NAME: __________________________ Course Section ____________ DATE: ____________
This lab is just like the Daily Motion Lab, except that whereas in the Daily Motion Lab we
observe at several different times on the same night, in this lab we observe on several
different nights at the same time! [Dont forget about daylight savings time.] You must
make the observations at the same time each night that you look at the sky for the Annual
Lab. The night for the Daily Motion Lab can also be the first night for this lab.
On the first night, at about 8.00 p.m. or whatever time is best for you.
1.

Find a constellation in the southern sky. (ORION, PEGASUS or SAGITTARIUS are

examples.) Note its position in the sky (Azimuth and Altitude). At approximately 7-10
day intervals, at the same exact time of the evening, repeat the observations and record
your findings below.
Observation Time ___________.
Constellation Name

Position in sky (direction + degrees above horizon)

Date

2. Find the BIG DIPPER or CASSIOPEIA. Note the date and sketch its position in the sky
diagram below. At 7-10 day intervals, at the same exact time of night, repeat the
observations.
Date:

Date:

Date:

Date:

Date:

*(Polaris)

nw~~~~~~~ N ~~~~~~~ ne
Date:

Annual Motion Lab (page 2)

3. Find the star POLARIS in the northern sky. Note its position in the sky. At 7-10 day
intervals, repeat the observations and record your findings below.

Position in sky (direction + degrees above horizon)

Date

4. What conclusions do you draw about the annual motion in each of the three cases?
Constellations in the southern sky:
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Big Dipper/Cassiopeia:

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Polaris:

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5. In six months from when you started this lab, where would you find these objects in the
sky?

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