Planning for Lunar Observations Coursework

by nik29 (student)

Astronomy Coursework-Planning

In this coursework I will be observing the moon and its lunar features. I will observe over a number of dates and draw/replicate the image I see as accurately and precisely as possible. When drawing my observation I will be clearly highlighting major features such as the Kepler Crater, the Sea of Crises and the Caucasus Mountains.

Plan/Design

I hope to do my observations every day. This is because as my data will not be completely accurate (as these observations are made by naked eye, and not using any equipment such as binoculars, telescopes of cameras) so I will not be able to cross-check my information, so any in-accuracies in my data will hopefully be corrected and thus my overall end result will be more reliable. As stated before, I will produce labelled drawings for each evening showing all lunar features seen with the naked eye. My observations will be taken at both Norwich, England (Lat 52.6500° N, Long 1.2800° E) and Darmstadt, Germany (Lat 49.8667° N, 8.6500° E). All my observations will be taken in the Northern Hemisphere. Unfortunately I will not be able to go to any major close hills and the countryside on all of my observations, however on some I will be able to get quite far away from houses and any light pollution and obscuring objects. At the time of my observations I will assess the light pollution on the Antoniadi Scale, in which you rate your observations light pollution and seeing on a scale of I-V, as shown below:

I. Perfect seeing, without a quiver.
II. Slight quivering of the image with moments of calm lasting several seconds.
III. Moderate seeing with larger air tremors that blur the image.
IV. Poor seeing, constant troublesome undulations of the image.
V. Very bad seeing, hardly stable enough to allow a rough sketch to be made.

This is a preview of the whole essay

I. Perfect seeing, without a quiver.
II. Slight quivering of the image with moments of calm lasting several seconds.
III. Moderate seeing with larger air tremors that blur the image.
IV. Poor seeing, constant troublesome undulations of the image.
V. Very bad seeing, hardly stable enough to allow a rough sketch to be made.

I will start my observations on Wednesday 19th of December 2012 and end on Wednesday the 30th of January 2013. Depending on the success of the data from 19th to the 26th of December I will change the rate of my observations. This will so to speak my Preliminary study. If up to that point there are little observations (2-3) I will increase the rate of my observations to whenever possible, however if there are sufficient observations (>3) I will continue in the pattern of 1 observation a day when possible. This is because then I will have roughly 24 hours between each of my observations which would mean that the moon would make my observations more reliable.

The equipment I will use will be noted on each observation, but here I will explain why each piece is necessary. Firstly I will use a red torch. This is piece of equipment is necessary for safety. As I will try to get away from skyglow and light pollution I will need to go to the countryside or something of that sort. While I am doing this it would be obvious to take a talk to see where you are going. This is where a red torch is necessary as it is very useful for astronomical observations as red has the shortest wavelength and thus is the least hinderance to observations, will still being useful for safety will taking/going to an appropriate observation site.

Another piece of equipment I will be using is a clipboard. This while be needed when I take my observations to take draw a clear replica of the moon.

I will naturally also need a rubber, pencil and pen to fill in/ draw my observations with.

I will take my planning sheet (these pieces of paper) that I can follow the instructions and information in here properly.

I will also take weather forecasts that I can decide on a suitable observation date and label the weather forecast on my observation sheet.

I will take my observations in the following order:

First I will write down the date and all other details of the observation, such as the light pollution or the weather.
Then I will take my observation and draw and label the key features of the moon, such as the Kepler Crater or the Sea of Crises.
Finally I will note down any specific notes in the notes box, such as that I took the specific observation on top of a very high hill, and thus light pollution and obscuring objects didn’t affect me as much as in other observations.

My prediction for this scientific observation is that the moon will travel through its lunar phases/cycle during the time that I take for my observations. These are also shown below. Sadly I actually start my observations half-way through the lunar cycle, so