Ferran Kasspar
McDonald Observatory Davis Mountains
N 30 68.084', W 103 01.502';
Elevation 6602.3’ (at HET)
Content:
Using a star chart can seem very ominous, so my suggestion to anyone who would like to learn the uses of star charts is to seek out fellow educators in your building, district, resource center or local amateur and professional astronomers who can explain their use. Another excellent resource for the beginning observer or educator is the book, “The Stars: A New Way to See Them” by Hans Augusto Rey.
What does a star chart tell me?
A star chart is basically a road map to the sky you are observing. Locations of various objects in the sky are placed on the star chart in an orientation based on what direction you are observing from. This makes the orientation of the chart to you very important. If you are standing facing to the north, you would want the side of the chart labeled “North” facing you.
Also, star charts are designed for specific hemispheres as well as approximate times of the year and of course the time of night you should be able to observe the objects on the map in the night sky. (i.e. the month early July at 11 p.m. or late July at 10 p.m.)
Oh, you don’t have a star chart and you really can’t afford to buy a hundred copies for your students. Just go to http://www.skymaps.com/downloads.html and you can download and print a sky map. This website gives you permission to print then copy and distribute up to 300 copies of their charts per month for educational purposes.
Reflection:
Looking back on our time we spent with the staff at McDonald Observatory, I must say the value of having someone with very well defined experience with a tool of science standing with you to guide the process of learning it’s was phenomenal.
Having someone telling you as you are standing facing north as you progress with your eyes from the horizon up into the night sky you should begin seeing the patterns of stars on your chart as if you were drawing a line from your position out across the chart. The items closest to the center of the chart should be at your zenith (directly overhead) and from there as you progress further across the chart those object will be in the sky behind you.
This experience took me back to my freshman astronomy class. This was a crucial time in my life. I had decided at age 30 to go back to college to become a science teacher. I still was not sure of my decision. Then, Bam! It hit me when I attended my first of many celestial observation sessions for the class. This is so cool! I was reconnected to my love of discovery and science.
Thank You Marc and Dan for reconnecting me one more time.
Ferran Kaspar
8th grade science
Zundelowitz Leadership Academy
Friday, June 9, 2006
