WorksheetsStar Trails and Polaris
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 5mins
Which photograph of star trails was taken by an observer facing directly north in New Jersey?
A camera was placed outside at night and pointed directly at Polaris and several other stars. The lens was kept open and a time-exposure photograph was taken. The diagram below represents that photograph of Polaris and star trails, with an angular protractor to measure apparent motion.
How many hours was the lens kept open to create the star trails in this photograph?
1 hour
6 hours
3 hours
4 hours
The photograph was taken by aiming a camera at a portion of the night sky above a New York State location and leaving the camera's shutter open for a period of time to record star trails.
the Sun
the Moon
Sirius
Polaris
During the time exposure of the photograph, the stars appear to have moved through an arc of 120°. How many hours did this time exposure take?
5 h
8 h
12 h
15 h
At which latitude were these star trails observed?
1° N
30° N
60° N
90° N
At which latitude will polaris be overhead?
0º
90º N.
90º S
23 ½ºN
As a person travels northward from the Equator, the altitude of polaris will appear to
decrease (get lower in the sky)
increase (get higher in the sky)
remain the same
As a person travels due west across New York State, the altitude of polaris will
decrease (get lower in the sky)
increase (get higher in the sky)
remain the same
The diagram below represents the route of a ship traveling from New York City to Miami, Florida. Each night, a passenger on the ship observes polaris.
Each night the altitude decreases in the northern sky.
Each night the altitude decreases in the southern sky.
Each night the altitude increases in the northern sky.
Each night the altitude increases in the southern sky.
Which diagram best represents the location of polaris for an observer located at the Equator?
