1. (1 pt) First, install Stellarium from stellarium.org
- there are downloads for both Mac and PC (and Linux).
Write here the version you installed (e.g. 0.12.6) : _________.
Does it start up as a fisheye view, or as a horizon view? ___________
2. (3 pt) Notice the popouts at the left and at the bottom (they show up when you move
your cursor over them)... The top one on the left sets
your location. What is the default location? _________________
Set your location (use the popout or function 6):
Many locations can be set by typing in the name of your city in the Question box (to the
right of the magnifying glass icon). Or select
on the map. Or set the lat and long: for Houston, use -93 degrees longitude, and 30N latitude,
or use your own GPS to set it more accurately. Check the box to "use as default", so the
next time it knows where you are.
Does it give you a bright sky or a dark sky? ___________________
(it should use your computer's clock to give it the time of day). If you are in daylight,
select "A" to get rid of the atmosphere. Move the time forwards (by pressing "L" repeatedly,
each time you press it goes faster, then "K" to return to sidereal time. To go backwards,
press "J" repeatedly and then again K to stop. Stop when the Sun is in your field of view,
facing south, around local noon. (Use your right and left arrow keys to rotate the sky so
you face south; if the cardinal directions "N" "S" are not labeled on your horizon, press Q to toggle them on).
Click on the Sun to center it. You can zoom in a bit by pressing "Page up" (for Macs, use
command and up arrow).
When the Sun is due South, what time is it for you? _____________ (your solar noon)
What is your longitude? _________________________ What day are you doing this? _______________
(use "8" to return to today)
Are the Planets labeled? If not, press "p". Some planets may be near the Sun.
Think... which ones (left or right of the Sun) will be morning planets? ____________________
which ones (if any) will be morning planets for you today?_______________________________
which ones (if any) will be evening planets for you today? ______________________________
Which one(s) (if any) are too close to the Sun to see right now?____________
Move ahead to midnight... which planet(s) are nearly overhead at midnight?______________________
3. (1 pt) Back to local noon, facing south, centered on Sun. Move the days ahead by
one day at at time by pressing "=" or back by pressing "-".
Go forward a (solar) week at a time by pressing "]" or back by pressing "[".
Watch how the planets move relative to the Sun. Which planet will be in conjunction with
the Sun next (the same direction as the Sun)? ____________
What day will that occur? __________ Which one after that? ______________ when? __________
4. (1 pt) Mercury doesn't stray very far from the Sun. What day will it be farthest from
the Sun, on the left of the Sun? ___________ roughly how many degrees away? __________
What day will it next be farthest from the Sun, on the right side of the Sun?__________
Roughly how many degrees away? ________
5. (1 pt) Find and center Venus. What are its celestial coordinates today?
RA _________________ DEC ___________________. What is its apparent magnitude today? _______
6. (1 pt) When will Venus next be brightest? _____________________
What will its apparent magnitude be? __________ What is its distance from Earth then? ________AU
7. (1 pt) When next will Venus be full? (approximately) ___________
What will its apparent magnitude be? __________ What is its distance from Earth then? ________AU
8. (1 pt) Set the time to your next birthday. What day is that? _________________
What constellation is the Sun REALLY in on your birthday? ____________________
What is the closest planet to the Sun on that day? ___________
Last updated 8/25/2021