Assignments #2b and #2c
Here’s the deal, guys - two assignments instead of one. Next week I’m going to be out of town and unable to have computer access of any kind, so I won’t be able to grade homework. So I’m posting the next two assignments instead of just one. But don’t worry; I’m going to be nice. I’m sure most of you by now are thinking, “Oh my God, we have to turn in two assignments in a week?!” Not a problem. Because of my absence I will give you two weeks to finish it. Since you have such a long period of time to complete these assignments I expect good papers! Most likely, this is the only time I’ll be doing something like this, unless something huge comes up and I have to go on a short hiatus.
This week we’ll be looking at northern spring and summer constellations.
Spring sky constellations, as the name suggests, are visible only during the spring season, from late April to mid-June, for the most part. When the season passes, they sink below the northern horizon and are taken place by the summer sky constellations, which are visible, for the most part, from late June to mid-September.
There are six distinctive constellations in the northern spring sky: Bootes, Cancer, Crater, Hydra, Leo, and Virgo. They are commonly known as the Herdsman, the Crab, the Cup, the Serpent, the Lion, and the Maiden, respectively.
There are seven distinctive constellations in the northern summer sky: Aquila, Cygnus, Hercules, Lyra, Ophiuchus, Sagittarius, and Scorpius (or Scorpio). They are commonly known as the Celestial Eagle, the Swan, the Great Greek Warrior, the Lyre, the Serpent Bearer, the Centaur, and the Scorpion, respectively.
Fun Facts:
Spring:
- Cancer is seen best in the month of March. However, it can also be seen (if one looks hard enough) from December through June, almost making it a circumpolar constellation. This is one of the harder constellations to spot, as it is consisted of mostly dim stars.
- Hydra is the longest constellation in the sky and largest by area.
- One of the brightest spring stars makes up the base of Leo’s head. (see Bonus Questions)
- There is a large cluster of almost 3,000 galaxies to the east of Virgo’s left arm.
Summer:
- Because of its shape, Cygnus is also known as the Northern Cross.
- RS Ophiuchi, a star in Ophiuchus, is a kind of star called a recurrent nova, which stay dim for long periods of time and then suddenly brighten.
- Sagittarius is one of two centaurs in the sky. The other, Centaurus, is a wise and peaceful centaur, as apposed to Sagittarius, whose bow and arrow is aimed at its neighbor, Scorpius.
- Scorpius is one of the largest and brightest global clusters in the sky.
Homework:
This is similar to last week’s assignment, but I’m narrowing it a bit. Find pictures of at least two but NO MORE THAN five pictures of constellations in the northern spring and summer sky. In other words, at least one constellation that appears in either sky, but no more than four in one and one in the other.
Still confused? (I know I am. =P) Here’s an example (no pictures included. Sorry, no cheating allowed!): Hydra, Leo, Hercules, Sagittarius, and Scorpius. This selection gives me constellations in both the spring and summer sky. (Please please please PLEASE don’t turn in this selection, be original!) BOTH SKIES MUST BE INCLUDED OR YOU WILL ONLY RECEIVE HALF CREDIT!!
Each picture submitted is worth ten points, that is if you send me the right constellation in its entirety (coughCepheuscough). This means that you are guaranteed (hopefully) 20 points, but can get 50 for the pictures.
Also, I want a description of the origin of one constellation from each sky. For example, the origins of Hercules and Virgo (see plea two paragraphs above). Each response is guaranteed 5 points, but depending on how thorough you are, you can receive 25.
Bonus Questions: (Once again, completely optional. Five points for each correct response and a wrong answer will not count against you.)
- What star, referred to as “one of the brightest spring stars” in Fun Facts, is located at the base of Leo’s head?
- Along with Aquila, what other two constellations have stars in the Summer Triangle? An additional three points will be added if you give me the names of the stars!
- What planetary nebula is found within Lyra?
- What star cluster is found right next to the head of Cancer?
Minimum points: 30
Maximum points: 133 (including Bonus Questions)
BEAR IN MIND that the only reason this assignment is worth so much is because I’m giving you two lessons instead of one. Don’t get used to receiving assignments that can be worth over 100 points until the term final, or if I decide to have a graphics contest, whichever comes first.
Due on Tuesday, August 8, 2006.
Don’t forget name and house please!
Happy hunting! I hope to see nice and thorough assignments when I get back!
ETA: Okay, two quick things: First, when I say "description of the origin of a constellation," I mean an explanation of it historically or mythologically. Most, if not all, constellations are known for the stories they tell in mythology, and most likely this what most of you will find. Secondly, I only want two descriptions. That means JUST one from the Spring Sky and JUST one from the summer sky. If you send me more than that I'll just give you credit for two of them. ;-)
This week we’ll be looking at northern spring and summer constellations.
Spring sky constellations, as the name suggests, are visible only during the spring season, from late April to mid-June, for the most part. When the season passes, they sink below the northern horizon and are taken place by the summer sky constellations, which are visible, for the most part, from late June to mid-September.
There are six distinctive constellations in the northern spring sky: Bootes, Cancer, Crater, Hydra, Leo, and Virgo. They are commonly known as the Herdsman, the Crab, the Cup, the Serpent, the Lion, and the Maiden, respectively.
There are seven distinctive constellations in the northern summer sky: Aquila, Cygnus, Hercules, Lyra, Ophiuchus, Sagittarius, and Scorpius (or Scorpio). They are commonly known as the Celestial Eagle, the Swan, the Great Greek Warrior, the Lyre, the Serpent Bearer, the Centaur, and the Scorpion, respectively.
Fun Facts:
Spring:
- Cancer is seen best in the month of March. However, it can also be seen (if one looks hard enough) from December through June, almost making it a circumpolar constellation. This is one of the harder constellations to spot, as it is consisted of mostly dim stars.
- Hydra is the longest constellation in the sky and largest by area.
- One of the brightest spring stars makes up the base of Leo’s head. (see Bonus Questions)
- There is a large cluster of almost 3,000 galaxies to the east of Virgo’s left arm.
Summer:
- Because of its shape, Cygnus is also known as the Northern Cross.
- RS Ophiuchi, a star in Ophiuchus, is a kind of star called a recurrent nova, which stay dim for long periods of time and then suddenly brighten.
- Sagittarius is one of two centaurs in the sky. The other, Centaurus, is a wise and peaceful centaur, as apposed to Sagittarius, whose bow and arrow is aimed at its neighbor, Scorpius.
- Scorpius is one of the largest and brightest global clusters in the sky.
Homework:
This is similar to last week’s assignment, but I’m narrowing it a bit. Find pictures of at least two but NO MORE THAN five pictures of constellations in the northern spring and summer sky. In other words, at least one constellation that appears in either sky, but no more than four in one and one in the other.
Still confused? (I know I am. =P) Here’s an example (no pictures included. Sorry, no cheating allowed!): Hydra, Leo, Hercules, Sagittarius, and Scorpius. This selection gives me constellations in both the spring and summer sky. (Please please please PLEASE don’t turn in this selection, be original!) BOTH SKIES MUST BE INCLUDED OR YOU WILL ONLY RECEIVE HALF CREDIT!!
Each picture submitted is worth ten points, that is if you send me the right constellation in its entirety (coughCepheuscough). This means that you are guaranteed (hopefully) 20 points, but can get 50 for the pictures.
Also, I want a description of the origin of one constellation from each sky. For example, the origins of Hercules and Virgo (see plea two paragraphs above). Each response is guaranteed 5 points, but depending on how thorough you are, you can receive 25.
Bonus Questions: (Once again, completely optional. Five points for each correct response and a wrong answer will not count against you.)
- What star, referred to as “one of the brightest spring stars” in Fun Facts, is located at the base of Leo’s head?
- Along with Aquila, what other two constellations have stars in the Summer Triangle? An additional three points will be added if you give me the names of the stars!
- What planetary nebula is found within Lyra?
- What star cluster is found right next to the head of Cancer?
Minimum points: 30
Maximum points: 133 (including Bonus Questions)
BEAR IN MIND that the only reason this assignment is worth so much is because I’m giving you two lessons instead of one. Don’t get used to receiving assignments that can be worth over 100 points until the term final, or if I decide to have a graphics contest, whichever comes first.
Due on Tuesday, August 8, 2006.
Don’t forget name and house please!
Happy hunting! I hope to see nice and thorough assignments when I get back!
ETA: Okay, two quick things: First, when I say "description of the origin of a constellation," I mean an explanation of it historically or mythologically. Most, if not all, constellations are known for the stories they tell in mythology, and most likely this what most of you will find. Secondly, I only want two descriptions. That means JUST one from the Spring Sky and JUST one from the summer sky. If you send me more than that I'll just give you credit for two of them. ;-)