Question

part a: finding objects by name
use the search tool in stellarium to locate each object. after locating it, fill in the information below.

object 1: polaris (north star)

• object type: ______
• constellation: ______
• why does this star appear not to move much during the night?

______

object 2: some object, partially obscured

• object type: ______
• constellation: ______
• is this star red or blue? what does that color suggest?

______

object 3: andromeda galaxy (m31)

• object type: ______
• is this object visible to the naked eye under dark skies? (yes / no)
• why do we call this a \deep - sky object\?

______

object 4: orion nebula (m42)

• object type: ______
• what is happening in this nebula? (hint: stars)

______

Explanation:

To solve the questions about these celestial objects, we analyze each one:

Object 3: Andromeda Galaxy (M31)

Step 1: Object Type

The Andromeda Galaxy is a spiral galaxy (it can also be classified as a galaxy, but more specifically a spiral galaxy).

Step 2: Visibility to Naked Eye

Under dark skies, the Andromeda Galaxy is visible to the naked eye as a faint, fuzzy patch. So the answer is Yes.

Step 3: Why "Deep - sky Object"?

Deep - sky objects are celestial objects that are not individual stars (like the objects in our solar system or single stars) and are outside our solar system. The Andromeda Galaxy is a galaxy, which is a large - scale celestial structure containing billions of stars, gas, and dust. It is not a star, planet, or moon in our solar system, so it is a deep - sky object.

Object 4: Orion Nebula (M42)

Step 1: Object Type

The Orion Nebula is an emission nebula (it can also be simply classified as a nebula). Nebulas are clouds of gas and dust in space.

Step 2: What's Happening in the Nebula?

In the Orion Nebula, star formation is taking place. The gas and dust in the nebula are collapsing under their own gravity, and new stars are being born. The intense radiation from the newly formed hot, young stars ionizes the surrounding gas (mostly hydrogen), causing it to emit light, which is why the nebula is visible.

Final Answers (for each part of the objects)

Object 3:

• Object Type: Spiral Galaxy (or Galaxy)
• Visibility to Naked Eye: Yes
• Why "Deep - sky Object": It is a galaxy (a large - scale celestial structure outside our solar system, not a star, planet, or moon in our solar system)

Object 4:

• Object Type: Emission Nebula (or Nebula)
• What's Happening: Star formation is occurring; gas and dust are collapsing to form new stars, and the radiation from young stars ionizes the gas, causing it to emit light.

Answer:

To solve the questions about these celestial objects, we analyze each one:

Object 3: Andromeda Galaxy (M31)

Step 1: Object Type

The Andromeda Galaxy is a spiral galaxy (it can also be classified as a galaxy, but more specifically a spiral galaxy).

Step 2: Visibility to Naked Eye

Under dark skies, the Andromeda Galaxy is visible to the naked eye as a faint, fuzzy patch. So the answer is Yes.

Step 3: Why "Deep - sky Object"?

Deep - sky objects are celestial objects that are not individual stars (like the objects in our solar system or single stars) and are outside our solar system. The Andromeda Galaxy is a galaxy, which is a large - scale celestial structure containing billions of stars, gas, and dust. It is not a star, planet, or moon in our solar system, so it is a deep - sky object.

Object 4: Orion Nebula (M42)

Step 1: Object Type

The Orion Nebula is an emission nebula (it can also be simply classified as a nebula). Nebulas are clouds of gas and dust in space.

Step 2: What's Happening in the Nebula?

In the Orion Nebula, star formation is taking place. The gas and dust in the nebula are collapsing under their own gravity, and new stars are being born. The intense radiation from the newly formed hot, young stars ionizes the surrounding gas (mostly hydrogen), causing it to emit light, which is why the nebula is visible.

Final Answers (for each part of the objects)

Object 3:

• Object Type: Spiral Galaxy (or Galaxy)
• Visibility to Naked Eye: Yes
• Why "Deep - sky Object": It is a galaxy (a large - scale celestial structure outside our solar system, not a star, planet, or moon in our solar system)

Object 4:

• Object Type: Emission Nebula (or Nebula)
• What's Happening: Star formation is occurring; gas and dust are collapsing to form new stars, and the radiation from young stars ionizes the gas, causing it to emit light.