ASTR 1400 LAB FINAL – TTU ASTRONOMY LAB STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & REVIEW 2026/2027
New moon - rise: sunrise
on meridian: midday
set: sunset
1st quarter moon - rise: midday
on meridian: sunset
set: midnight
full moon - rise: sunset
on meridian: midnight
set: sunrise
3rd quarter moon - rise: midnight
on meridian: sunrise
set: midday
define celestial equator - projection of Earth's equator on the celestial sphere
define ecliptic - path the sun takes during the day
define north celestial pole - projection of Earth's north pole on the celestial sphere
define south celestial pole - projection of Earth's south pole on the celestial sphere
define meridian - circle of constant longitude passing through given place on earth's surface and
terrestrial poles
local sidereal time and RA of objects on meridian - equal same value
declination of star or object - start at 90 degrees (Polaris)
angular separation between two objects - measure fists between the two objects
altitude of given object - make a fist and measure from the ground up
define summer solstice - longest day of the year; sun is highest in sky
define winter solstice - shortest day of the year; sun is lowest in sky
define vernal equinox - 1st day of spring
define autumnal equinox - 1st day of fall; equal hours
QUESTIONS & REVIEW 2026/2027
New moon - rise: sunrise
on meridian: midday
set: sunset
1st quarter moon - rise: midday
on meridian: sunset
set: midnight
full moon - rise: sunset
on meridian: midnight
set: sunrise
3rd quarter moon - rise: midnight
on meridian: sunrise
set: midday
define celestial equator - projection of Earth's equator on the celestial sphere
define ecliptic - path the sun takes during the day
define north celestial pole - projection of Earth's north pole on the celestial sphere
define south celestial pole - projection of Earth's south pole on the celestial sphere
define meridian - circle of constant longitude passing through given place on earth's surface and
terrestrial poles
local sidereal time and RA of objects on meridian - equal same value
declination of star or object - start at 90 degrees (Polaris)
angular separation between two objects - measure fists between the two objects
altitude of given object - make a fist and measure from the ground up
define summer solstice - longest day of the year; sun is highest in sky
define winter solstice - shortest day of the year; sun is lowest in sky
define vernal equinox - 1st day of spring
define autumnal equinox - 1st day of fall; equal hours
