Phsc 121 Study Guide 2024.

PHSC 121 STUDY GUIDE 2024. Why are most of the constellations that were invented in modern times composed of faint stars or located in the southern sky? - CORRECT ANSWER Faint stars or stars in the southern sky were not visible to early astronomers observing from northern latitudes How does the Greek letter designation of a star give you clues both to its location and its apparent brightness? - CORRECT ANSWER The brightest star in a constellation is usually designated as Alpha, the second brightest as Beta, and so on. The star's approximate location is described by the name of the constellation. Which is the asterism and which is the constellation: Orion and Orion's belt? Name another asterism/constellation combination. - CORRECT ANSWER Orion is the constellation and Orion's belt is the asterism. The Big Dipper is an asterism within the constellation Ursa Major. From your knowledge of star names and constellations, which of the following stars is probably brighter? Explain your answers. Alpha Ursae Majoris; Epsilon Ursae Majoris - CORRECT ANSWER Alpha Ursae Majoris is brighter because it has a Greek letter designation that suggests that it is the brightest star in the constellation of Ursa Major. From your knowledge of star names and constellations, which of the following stars is probably brighter? Explain your answers. Alpha Telescopii; Alpha Orionis - CORRECT ANSWER Alpha Orionis is brighter because Orion is a prominent well-known constellation, whereas Telescopium is a minor faint constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere. What does the word visual mean in apparent visual magnitude? - CORRECT ANSWER The magnitude includes only light that is visible to the human eye. Do the apparent visual magnitude numbers of two stars tell us which one is farther from Earth? Explain your answer. - CORRECT ANSWER No. A faint, nearby star could appear brighter to human eyes than a faraway, bright star.