🌊W3 L1 & L2 - Noticing patterns in the sky - navigating the Pacific Flashcards
Learn about different objects visible in the sky and how Polynesians navigated the Pacific
Name the red giant in Orion
Betelgeuse
Name the blue giant in Orion
Rigel
What type of system is the closest apparent star to earth?
Alpha centauri is a triple system
How far away is the Orion nebula?
1,344 light years
What is the diameter of the Orion nebula?
12 light years
How far away is the Andromeda Galaxy?
2.5 x 10⁶ ly
How far away is the Large Magellanic Cloud?
160k ly
How far away is the Small Magellanic Cloud?
200k ly
What part of Scorpius is near the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy?
The tail
What is angular size measured in?
Degrees
Will something close to you have a larger or smaller angular diameter?
Larger
How can you find the South celestial pole?
Intersection of 1) long axis of Southern Cross, & 2) a line drawn perpendicular from the middle of The Pointers
What is the angular diameter of a finger held at arm’s length?
1 degree
What is the angular diameter of 3 fingers held at arm’s length?
5 degrees
What is the angular diameter of a closed fist held at arm’s length?
10 degrees
What is the angular diameter of 2nd and 5th digits spread and held at arm’s length?
15 degrees
What is the angular diameter of hand fully spread (thumb to 5th digit) held at arm’s length?
25 degrees
Name 4 methods Polynesians used to navigate when out at sea
1) Star compass, 2) sky rope, 3) zenith stars 4) prevailing wind
Name 4 methods Polynesians could use to navigate when close to land
1) Sea birds, 2) cloud formation, 3) phosphorescence, 4) swell patterns
(ie 2 in the sky, and 2 in the sea)
What is declination?
The angular distance of a point in degrees north or south of the equator
How could you navigate in space?
With neutron stars
