Introduction to ASTRONOMY Physics 3

Nov/29/2006 Spectra Lab, Meeting 2 Page DS- XXX

NAME_______________ NAME__________________ __________________

NAME_______________ NAME__________________ __________________

Part F: Nebulae Observation

Orion Nebula (M42 & M43)

Part 1: Naked-Eye Observation

· Record the observing conditions.

· Visually estimate the limiting magnitude of the sky.

1. Describe the Observing Conditions (is there a moon? Is there a mist? Clouds? Are the football field lights on?)U

2. Limiting Magnitude of sky:

Indicate which stars you can see and which ones you can’t in the constellation of Andromeda. From this estimate the limiting magnitude of the sky

(a) Limiting Magnitude of the sky is estimated to be: __________________

(b) Explain your reasoning.

Part 2: Observation of Objects

· Attempt to view at least one Diffuse Nebula (emission or snr).

· Fill an observational data sheet for each object seen (sketch, info).

1. Summary of Diffuse Nebula Observation: (cover the following points)

(a) Must you use averted vision to see it?

(b) Can you see any color in the nebula?

(c) Can you see any stars in the nebula? Associated cluster?

(d) Is there any shape? How does it compare to standard pictures of the object?

(e) In particular, for M42, can you also see M43? The Trapezium stars?

Data Sheet #2 Object Observations Name ____________________

Name ____________________

Group#_____________ Date___________ Name ____________________

Telescope Name=____________ Aperture=_____________ Focal length=________

Object Information Microguide Measurements

Name=________________ Magnitude ____ Barlow_________ Scale_______ “/div

Catalog #______ Constellation __________ Measured Size: _________ (divisions)

RA___________ Dec_______________ Calculated Size: _________ arcsec

Notes/Description: Notes:

Observational Sketch Observational Sketch

Eyepiece Focal Length ___________ Eyepiece Focal Length __________

Magnification Power: ___________ Magnification Power: __________

Practical Astronomy ÓNov2006, W. Pezzaglia Fall 2006