Astronomy and Astrophysics

Assignment # 1

Q1) For an observer in Islamabad, calculate the altitude of the Sun along the meridian on the first day of Summer and Winter.

A1) We know that, first day of Summer and Winter are the Summer and Winter Solstice respectively. The declination of the Sun
during Summer and Winter Solstice is 23.5° and -23.5° respectively. The latitude of Islamabad is 33.7294°N. The altitude of the
Sun can be calculated using the following equation.

During Summer Solstice:

Altitude of Sun = a sun = (90° − λislamabad ) + δsun ⇒ a sun = (90° − 33.7294°) + 23.5° ⇒ a sun = 79.7706°

During Winter Solstice:

Altitude of Sun = a sun = (90° − λislamabad ) + δsun ⇒ a sun = (90° − 33.7294°) − 23.5° ⇒ a sun = 32.7706°

Q2) Calculate the range of declination for two groups of circumpolar stars for an observer in Islamabad. Identify some famous
constellations of (Northern) circumpolar stars by giving declinations of the stars in them (or as a whole).

A2) The range of declination of circumpolar stars for an observer at a latitude ‘L’ has to satisfy the following equation

90° − L < δ < 90°

Because the horizon of the observer lies at (90° - L) so any declination less than that will make the star set. As the latitude of
Islamabad is 33.7294° so the range of declinations which will make the star circumpolar is

90° − 33.7294° < δ < 90° ⇒ 56.2706° < δ < 90°

Some famous circumpolar constellations in the above range are

i- Cassiopeia with R.A. = 01h 19.16m and δ = +62° 11.04′

ii- Usra Minor with R.A. = 15h 00.00m and δ = +77° 00.51′

Some famous circumpolar deep sky objects in the above range are

i- NGC 6217 which is an AGN located at ~ 340 million light years away
ii- MACS0647-JD which is one of the possible candidates of the farthest known galaxy at a redshift of 10.7

Q3) With explanation, give the range of latitude where the Sun never sets during the Summer Solstice? Where would the Sun never
set during Vernal Equinox?

A3) The range of latitude where the Sun will never set for an observer during its stay at Summer Solstice (at declination = 23.5°)
will be 90° - 23.5° < δ < 90° ⇒ 66.5° < δ < 90°. Because the latitudes > 66.5° do not correspond to the declination of Sun or less
hence the sun will never set during the Summer Solstice.

Summer Solstice Alternative Explanation:

For Sun to never set, it should become a circumpolar star for the latitude range. The range of latitude for which a star of given
declination will be circumpolar is given by 90° - δ < L < 90° ⇒ 66.5° < L < 90°.

During vernal equinox, the declination of Sun is 0° hence the only latitudes where the Sun will never set will be L = ±90° and it’ll
travel along the horizon.
Q4) Precess the coordinates of Polaris to epoch J(27 September 2017).

A4) The coordinates of Polaris at J2000.0 are given by R.A. (α) = 02 h31m49.09s and Declination (δ) = +89° 15′ 50.8′′. The formula
for calculating the change in α and δ can be calculated by using the formulae below

Δα = M + N sin α tan δ

Δδ = N cos 𝛼

Where ‘M’ and ‘N’ correspond to the following equations

M = 1.2812323°T + 0.0003879°T 2 + 0.0000101°T3

N = 0.5567530°T – 0.0001185°T2 – 0.0000116°T3

Where ‘T’ corresponds to the following equation

(t – 2000.0)
T =
100
Where ‘t’ is the current date, specified in fractions of years.

i) From 2000.0 to 2017.0 ∷ 17 years have passed.

ii) From January 1st, 2017 to September 26th, 2017 ∷ 269 days have passed
269
= 0.737 years
365
So ‘t’ comes out to be 2000.000 + 17.736 ⇒ 2017.736 years. Now we can calculate ‘T’ as
2017.737 − 2000.000 17.737
T= ⇒T= ⇒ T ≈ 0.17737
100 100
Substituting T = 0.17736 in the equations of ‘M’ and ‘N’ we get

M = 1.2812323°(0.17737) + 0.0003879°(0.17737)2 + 0.0000101°(0.17737)3 ⇒ M ≈ 0.227264°

N = 0.5567530°(0.17737) – 0.0001185°(0.17737)2 – 0.0000116°(0.17737)3 ⇒ N = 0.0987474°

Substituting the values of ‘M’ and ‘N’ in the equations of Δα and Δδ we get

Δα = (0.227264°) + (0.0987474°) × sin(37.9545°) × tan(89.264111°) ⇒ Δα = 4.95564°

Δδ = (0.0987474°) × cos(37.9545°) ⇒ Δδ = 0.0778623°

So, the precessed coordinates of Polaris,

α + Δα = 37.9545° + 4.95564° ⇒ α + Δα ≈ 42.9101°

δ + Δδ = 89.264111° + 0.0778623° = δ + Δδ ≈ 89.342°

We know that, 1h = 15°, 1m = 15′ and 1s = 15′′ so the α in hh:mm:ss can be expressed as

α + Δα = 2h 51m 38.448s

δ + Δδ = 89° 20′ 31.2′′

In the Stellarium Software, the R.A. of Polaris is 02h 54m 40.35s and Declination is 89° 20′ 19.6′′ (September 25th, 2017) so our
result is quite fair.