Learning Exercise

Name:
Date:
Period:

Exploration in Astronomy

Insert the bottom keys on Stellarium to follow bottom section–MERLOT will not
accept graphics.

Meaning of Bottom 19 Keys:

1. Show/Hide constellations [C]
2. Show/Hide names of constellations [V]

3. Show/Hide mythical drawings of constellations [R]
4. Show/Hide Azimuthal grid [Z] (grid of horizon)
5. Show/Hide Equatorial grid [E] (grid from rotation)

6. Hide/Show ground/Earth [G]
7. Show/Hide N, S, E, and W directions [Q]

8. Hide/Show atmosphere of Earth [A]
9. Show/Hide locations of Nebulas & Galaxies [N]

10. Switches between Equatorial and Altazimuthal Mount [Enter]
11. Places selected object in middle of screen [Space]
12. Search – search for objects: Stars; Constellation; Nebula; or Planets &
Moons
13. Configuration – window for changing: Date & Time; Location; Landscapes;
Video; and Rendering

14. Help – list of key operations [H]
15. Quit – ends program [Control] + [Q]

16. Decrease time and speed [J]
17. Real time and speed [K]

18. Increase time and speed [L]
19. Return to current time


Helpful Hints for other keys:

[PgUp] = zoom in
[PgDn] = zoom out

Arrows = move window in that direction

Left Click = select object
Right Click = unselect object


Click Configuration key (#13); Select Location in the Middle East (Longitude 42;
Latitude 24). Do not save location. Click the upper right box to close the
window.
1. Does the screen look different from the Fresno location? Explain how:

Click Quit key (#15) and open Stellarium. Zoom out [PgDn] so you can see the
full sky.
2. What is the brightest object seen in the sky?
3. Click on the object. Look in the upper left corner. What is the magnitude of
the object?
4. What is the distance to the object?
5. What is the other object that can be seen in the sky?
6. Click on the object. Look in the upper left corner. What is the magnitude of
the object?
7. What is the distanceto the object?
Click and center on Mercury. Zoom in enough until you see two objects appear
around Mars.
8. What is the distance to Mercury?
9. What colors can you see on Mercury once you zoom in?
10. What is the magnitude of Mercury?
Click and center on Mars. Zoom in enough until you see two objects appear
around Mars.
11. What is the distance to Mars?
12. What colors can you see on Mars once you zoom in?
13. What are the names of the two objects? and
Increase the time/speed so you see the motion of the two objects. Remember to
have centered Mars.
14. Do the objects go around the Sun or Mars?
Click and center on Pluto. Zoom in as close as you can.
15. What is the distance to Pluto?
16. The moon of Pluto is:
17. Is the moon of Pluto close to the size of Pluto or considerably smaller like
Mars’ moons?
Search for Saturn. Click and center on Saturn. Zoom in until three moons appear
around Saturn.
18. What is the distance to Saturn?
19. What are the three largest moons of Saturn called? , , and

20. Zoom in on each moon. Which moon is the largest?
Zoom out to see the full sky. Click on a bright star.
21. What is the name of the star?
22. What is the magnitude of the star?
23. What is the distance to the star?
Click where you see a dim star.
24. What is the name of the star?
25. What is the magnitude of the star?
Click Constellations Key (#1). Pick one of the constellations and Click Names of
Constellations (#2).
26. What is the name of the constellation?
27. What does the constellation look like as a stick figure (just lines)?
Click the Mythical Drawings of Constellations (#3) button.
28. How does the art version differ from your previous answer?