Observing the sky

Techniques for navigation

  • The celestial sphere
  • Altitude and azimuth
  • The view of the sky from your particular latitude
  • Sidereal time

    • How do the motions of the earth affect our view of the sky?

  • The ecliptic
  • The precession of the earth's axis.
  • Changing appearance of the Big Dipper.
  • Seasons

    • What is there to see with the naked eye?

  • Phenomena observable by the naked eye.
  • Link to the UWisc site on Constellations
  • Retrograde motion
  • Lunar and Solar eclipses
  • Viewing the planets
    • [back to the topics page] [back to astro 201 home page]