1. Constellation – Sky Familiarization

2. Objectives Learn sky navigation using the SC-1 Star Chart
Locate the meridian, horizons, and zenith for a given date and time.
Use the star chart to locate stars and constellations in the night sky.

3. Nacogdoches View East Zenith 32o CE NCP 32o South North SCP West
Horizon
East
Sketch the celestial sphere.
Include the CE, NSP, SCP, zenith, meridian, nadair, horizon, due east and west points .

5. The stars visible, at any given time, continuously changes
The stars visible, at any given time, continuously changes. This a result of the Earth’s motion, rotation and revolution.

7. Declination (degrees) Right Ascension (hours)
North
Ecliptic Sun’s Path
East
Celestial Equator
Declination (degrees)
Right Ascension (hours)
South

8. Find the position of the star Sirius
North
East
RA = 6h 45m
DEC = -17d
South

9. March 8:00 p.m
North
Zenith
East
West Point
South
Meridian

10. March 8:00 p.m
East Point

11. March 8:00 p.m
North
Zenith
East
West Point
South
Meridian

12. March 22 @ 9:00 p.m Zenith West Point Meridian West Horizon North East
South
Meridian
West Horizon

13. March 22 @ 10:00 p.m Zenith West Point Meridian West Horizon North
East
West Point
South
Meridian
West Horizon

14. January 10 @ 8:00 p.m North East 5 days X 4 min/day=20 min

15. Sky Familiarization A Few Things to Remember
The NCP is located above the north point on the horizon. The angular distance is equal to your latitude.
The zenith is located an angular distance equal to your latitude from the CE, i.e., the declination of the zenith is your latitude.
Any vertical line on your SC-1 (north-south) is a meridian.
Approximately one half of the stars on the SC-1 are visible at any given time (12 hours of RA).