Explain why stars appear to move along arcs during the night.

Answer: The Earth is a sphere that rotates on it's on axis, It has a tilt of about 23 degrees in relation to the ecliptic, and this means that the north pole is almost always pointing at Polaris (the north star). Polaris seems to be the only star that doesn't arch though the sky, the ones you can see all the time are called Circumpolar stars. Well, that being said, The reason why stars move along arcs through the sky is because the Earth is spinning in relatively to all stars, it seems Polaris doesn't move at all. However this hasn't been the "north star" all the time, the Earth's tilt changes gradually. Not just during the night. Stars change position every day, they're about four minutes (of time not angle) earlier/later (depending on which hemisphere your on) each day in relationship to the previous day. This is caused by the Earth orbiting the Sun. Explain why some different constellations appear in the sky each season. Answer: Because the Earth is revolving in its orbit around the Sun, bringing different constellations into view as it moves through the year. For example, right now the Sun is in Virgo, so when we look in the opposite direction (at midnight) we see Pisces. Six months from now, the Sun will be in Pisces, and when we look outward at midnight, Virgo will be in the sky. Identify some bright stars and constellations visible each season.

WINTER
-Caelum (The sculptors chisel) is visible in northern latitudes to 63 degrees north and from southern latitudes to 43 degrees south from November through January.

- Dorado, the Swordfish, is visible from all latitudes south of 20 degrees north from November through January. Mensa, the Table Mountain is completely visible in latitudes south of 5 degrees north from May through July. It can best be seen in northern latitudes in January. Orion, the Hunter, is visible from October through March in both hemispheres. Reticulum, the Net or Reticle, is completely visible in latitudes south of 23 degrees north from October through December. It is best seen in northern latitudes in January. Taurus, the Bull, can be seen during the winter and the early spring in the northern hemisphere and from November to February in the southern hemisphere SPRING Antlia, the Air Pump, is visible in northern latitudes to 66 degrees north and southern latitudes to 50 degrees south from January through March. Chamaeleon, the Chameleon, is visible in southern latitudes from 7 degrees South. It is difficult to spot in northern latitudes and is completely invisible in above 15 degrees from February through April. Crater, the Cup, represents the goblet of the Greek god Apollo. In ancient times it was also called the Cinerary Urn, which was a water bucket. It can best be seen in the northern hemisphere in April. Hydra, the Sea Serpent, is best seen from the southern hemisphere, but can be observed in the north between January and May. Leo, the Lion, can be found in the northern hemisphere in the spring and southern hemisphere in autumn Leo Minor, the Lion Cub is completely visible in latitudes north of 48 degrees South from January through March.

Sextans, the sextant is best seen from the southern hemisphere from January through May. Ursa Major, the Great Bear, is visible in the northern hemisphere all year long. SUMMER

Apus, the Bird of Paradise, can be seen in all southern latitudes. Ara, the Altar, is visible in southern latitudes from 22 degrees south and in northern latitudes to 43 degrees north from November through January. Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown, is visible in the northern hemisphere in the spring and summer. Draco, the Dragon, Draco is located very close to the celestial pole, which makes it circumpolar. It is visible throughout the night. During the course of the year, it rotates upside down and back again. Hercules is best seen during the summer in the northern hemisphere. Norma, the Carpenters Square, is completely visible in latitudes south of 30 degrees north from April through June. Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer, is best seen in summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere. Scorpius, the Scorpion, can be seen in summer from the northern hemisphere, but is low in the sky and is best seen from the southern hemisphere or southern United States. Serpens, the Serpent, is best seen in the summer from the northern hemisphere. Triangulum Australe, the Southern Triangle, is completely visible in latitudes south of 20 degrees north from April through June FALL Aquarius the water bearer is visible in the fall in the northern hemisphere and spring in the southern hemisphere. Cepheus, the King, is visible all year in the northern hemisphere. Grus, the Crane, is visible in latitudes south of 33 degrees north from July through September. Octans, the Octant, is visible in latitudes south of the equator. Pegasus, the winged horse is visible from August through December. Piscis Austrinus, the Southern Fish, is visible in latitudes south of 53 degrees north from July through September.