Astronomy/Physics Homework Basic (File is included)

Name:

ASTRONOMY 100L – HW 2

For each of the following statements respond shorter, the same, or longer.

(A) If the Earth revolved more rapidly, its sidereal day would be ____________________________.

(B) If the Earth revolved more rapidly, it solar day would be _______________________________.

(C) If the Earth rotated more rapidly, its sidereal day would be _____________________________.

(D) If the Earth rotated more rapidly, it solar day would be ________________________________.

Question 1: Find the Meridional Altitudes for each of the following situations. Draw your diagrams just as we

did in class

Location Object Meridional Altitude

North Pole (lat = 90°N) Betelguese (dec. = +7)

Location Object Meridional Altitude

Equator (lat = 0°) Sirius(dec = -16°)

Z

N S

Z

N S

Z

N S

Z

N S

Location Object Meridional Altitude

Lincoln NE (lat = 41°N) Summer Solstice Sun

Location Object Meridional Altitude

Ann Arbor, MI ( lat = 42ºN) Capella ( dec = +46º)

Location Object Meridional Altitude

Iquique, Chili (lat = 20°S) Sirius(dec = -16°) 86°

Z

N S

Question 3: How and approximately how much would the length of a solar day change if Earth sudenly switched its direction of rotation from counter clockwise to clockwise? Draw a diagram and explain your answer.