Celestial Sphere Exploration

Celestial Sphere Exploration

Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Show all work where applicable.

1. Which of the following best describes the celestial sphere?

2. The celestial equator is directly above the Earth's equator. What is its inclination relative to the ecliptic?

3. The apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over a year is called the  .

4. The two points where the celestial equator intersects the ecliptic are known as the   and  .

5. Explain the difference between altitude-azimuth coordinates and equatorial coordinates.

6. Describe how the celestial sphere appears to an observer at the North Pole.

7. All stars on the celestial sphere appear to move from east to west due to Earth's rotation.

8. The zenith is the point directly above an observer on the celestial sphere.