|
PH2900 Complex Problem #5
|
|
|
The final "complex problem" is a whirlwind tour of some astronomy resources
on the internet. The minimal assignment is to visit the sites below,
answer any of the questions, discover what information or service they
provide and describe this in your write up. Where relevant you should
show one or more examples of what the site can do; please use your
judgement and show enough examples to illustrate the point you're
trying to make.
You should also look around and find and describe at least one other
example of a good internet astronomy resource not on the list below.
Here's the list:
- The SIMBAD
astronomical database / name resolver.
Use this to find the HD catalog number and coordinates of Capella.
What is Capella's "Flamsteed number" (given in each constellation by
increasing RA). What is Capella's Bayer catalogue designation
(also by constellation with a Greek letter for decreasing brightness)?
- The Aladin sky atlas. For both SIMBAD and
Aladin there are
tutorials.
- The FITS Support Office.
What is FITS? Try opening a FITS file with a text editor such as
notepad. (Depending on the editor this might show garbage...)
Give some examples of the information contained in the FITS file header.
- Students for the Exploration and
Development of Space (SEDS) including the
Nine Planets Solar System Tour (take the "Express Tour") and the
Messier Catalog.
- A light curve generator
from the AAVSO. Generate a recent light curve for delta Cephei.
- Optional: Le site des WebCams Astro,
AstroCam (French and English). See how our "cheap CCD" was made.
Glen Cowan