Delta College

You should make sure you get this information when you observe the object. Since an object's altitude varies with time, it is not easy to get afterwards.

When your outstretched hand is pointing at the horizonat the object's azimuth, you are pointing at 0 degrees altitude. When your outstretched hand is pointing stright up, you are pointing at 90 degrees altitude. Estimate the the number of degrees your outstretched hand is pointing when you are pointing at the object.

You can refer to the Coordinate Systems activity in you course pack for more information.

Azimuth (Az): The point where the object is closest to the horizon.

Azimuth is measured in degrees in a circle along the horizon, starting with North.

North is at azimuth 0 degrees.

East is at azimuth 90 degrees.

South is at 180 degrees.

West is at 270 degrees.

Estimate the azimuth of where the object is closest to the horizon.

You should make sure you get this information when you observe the object. Since an object's azimuth varies with time, it is not easy to get afterwards.

You can refer to the Coordinate Systems activity in you course pack for more information.

Binary Star:

A binary star is actually two stars going around each other.

Is the star that you observed actually multiple stars?

You can find this information using Starry Night Backyard or an internet search.

Cardinal Directions:

The cardinal directions are: North, East, South and West.

Below your drawing, label the direction you are facing when you are looking at the object.

You should make sure you get this information when you observe the object. Since an object's cardinal direction varies with time, it is not easy to get afterwards.

Constellation:

Which of the 88 constellations is the object in?

Examples are: Virgo, Orion, Sagittarius, etc

You can find this information on the Star Map that you purchased, or using Starry Night Backyard, or an internet search.

Date:

On what date (day/month) did you observe this object?

Declination:

The number of degrees the object observed is north or south of the Celestial Equator.

For stars or constellations, you can find this information on the Star Map that you purchased.

For other objects you could use the Starry Night Backyard program or use an internet search.

You can refer to the Coordinate Systems activity in you course pack for more information.

Description:

Describe the appearance of the object. This should match your drawing!

Include information about the color, size, and anything else you feel is important.

Distance:

How many light years away is the object?

You can find this information using Starry Night Backyard or an internet search.

Drawing:

Your drawing should include as much detail as possible.

Aside from general shape and orientation, you should also include any color that you saw.

Be sure to show any banding, rings, or moons.

Label any moons with their names.

Your drawing should be made while you are observing.

If you have time, go back and look at the object again, after you have drawn it. You will notice more details.

Your drawing should match your description!

Eyepiece:

What was the focal length of the eyepiece in the telescope when you observed the object?

Focal lengths are measured in millimeters, for example: 50mm.

Different focal lengths produce different magnifications.

Since eyepieces are frequently changed, you must note the eyepiece focal length when you are observing an object!

Focal Length:

What was the focal length of the telescope you used to observe the object?

Focal lengths are measured in millimeters, for example: 500mm.

Different focal lengths produce different magnifications.

If you know what type of telescope you used, you can find information about the focal length on our Equipment page.

Location:

Where were you when you observed the object?

This is a general area such as Midland, Boulder Walkway, Traverse City, etc.

Do not include a street address.

Do not be vague, ie: "My backyard".

Magnification:

Magnification is how much bigger a telescope makes an object appear. It is typically a number with the letter 'x' after it to represent how many 'times' bigger the object appears, for example 10x.

This would be spoken as, "Ten times magnification" or "A magnification of ten".

To find the magnification of an observation, divide the telescope focal length by the eyepiece focal length.

Mythology

Every constellation has a story behind it. Indeed, most constellations have many stories from different cultures and times.

Include a summary of one mythological story for each constellation that you observe. Use the back of the page if you need more space.

You can find this information with an interenet search.

Right Ascension:

Right Ascension is measured in hours along the Celestial Equator. It runs from 0 hours to 24 hours.

For stars or constellations, you can find this information on the Star Map that you purchased.

For other objects you could use the Starry Night Backyard program or use an internet search.

You can refer to the Coordinate Systems activity in you course pack for more information.

Seeing:

Seeing refers to the steadiness of an image through a telescope or with the naked eye. It depends on atmospheric conditions.

The degrees of seeing are :

Excellent seeing = Very steady image (rare in Michigan)

Good seeing = Fairly steady image

Poor seeing = Unsteady image

No seeing = Cloudy, nothing can be seen!

Spectral Class

A star's Spectral Class is specified by a letter (O,B,A,F,G,K,M).

You can find this information using Starry Night Backyard, or an internet search.

Telescope Type:

What type of telescope did you observe through?

If you are not sure of spelling or specific details, you can see our telescopes on our equipment page.

Time:

What time did you observe the object? Make sure to specify am or pm.

Type:

What kind of cluster, galaxy, or nebula did you observe?

You can find this information using Starry Night Backyard, or an internet search.

Variable Star:

Is the star always the same brightness or does it change?

You can find this information using Starry Night Backyard, or an internet search.