Science Rules!

HOME

STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS

ASTRONOMY LINKS

GEOLOGY LINKS

METEOROLOGY LINKS

OCEANOGRAPHY LINKS

MEET MY STUDENTS

TEACHER RESOURCES

WHO IS MR. NAP?

Regulus!

In this fun activity you will explore the occultation of Regulus that will occur on March 20, 2014

Directions: Use this website to answer questions:


1.  What is Regulus?

2.  What constellation is Regulus a part of?

3. Draw Leo here. Include six stars. Connect the stars with a line.

4. Label Regulus on your drawing.

5. So what's the deal with the asteroid and Regulus?

6. What time will the asteroid cover Regulus?

7. What is the name of the asteriod?

8. Define occultation

9. Admit it, you're already thinking about setting your alarm clock for 2am Thursday morning.....right?

10. How long will Regulus disappear for?

11.  Now look at the projected path of the occultation over New York State. What do the blue lines represent?

12. What do the red lines represent?

13. What is meant by "one sigma uncertainty for shadow edges?"



14. Zoom in on the map. Does the green line pass over Harrison?




15. Where does it pass over at it's closest point to Harrison?





16. If you are in between the green lines, you will be able to see the occultation. Will it be visible in Harrison?




17. Now back to the original page. How can you use the moon to locate Regulus?





18. Is Regulus visible from New York City (with it's light pollution)?




19. Here's a list of the 500 brightest stars in the night sky. What numer is Regulus?




20. What type of star is Regulus?




21. Which is the number 1 brightest star?




22. Now back to the original page again. How common is an occultation of such a bright star by an asteroid that has been predicted to cross such a heavily populated area?




23. The predicted time of shadow in New York City is ___________.


24. The predicted time of shadaow in central upstate NY is___________.


25. Using hte two times above, what time do you interpolate the shadow will occur over Harrison?



26. How fast will the shadow be traveling?



27. How wide is the asteroid Erigone?




28. How wide is the shadaow path?



29. How far is Erigone from earth?




30. NOw do you realize how lucky you are to be in NY for this????




31. Obviously, in order to see the occultation we will need a clear night this Wednesday night. Check out the latest NWS forecast for Wednesday night.

---------------------------------------------------------------