Requirement #4B

We’re going to use the Stellarium program to run a night sky simulation…

Set up:

1. Start the Stellarium program.

2. Press the Ctrl-Q keys to turn on the N,S,E,W direction displays.

3. Press the Ctrl-V keys to display the Constellation names

4. Set the time to one hour after sunset.

o Bring up the Configuration Window and select the Date-Time Tab.

o Set the mouse cursor over the small up-down arrows near the Hour field.

o Adjust the time so the sun sets, the sky is dark and the stars show.

5. Enable Star Names and Magnitude Limit

· Click on the Rendering Tab that is part of the Configuration Window.

· Find the check box labeled Star Names Up to Mag.

· Click on the little up down arrows so the number 1 (one) is displayed.

· Close the Configuration Window by clicking on the small box in the upper right hand of the Configuration Window.

· Stellarium is now configured to show the name of any star whose magnitude is 1 or brighter.

Observation:

Use the arrow keys on the keyboard to look at different parts of the sky. Any star that has a magnitude of 1 or brighter has its name displayed. If you point at a start with the computer’s mouse, a block of information about the star will appear in the upper left hand corner of the computer screen when you click the mouse button. For your observations make a list of names of the bright stars that you see. Make a note of their magnitude and what Constellation they are in..