ARCturus

The most important topics in astronomy teaching are the observation of celestial phenomena and learning to know motions of the heavenly bodies in nearby space. The observation is easily  arranged in nature. That is the best way to start the teaching of astronomy. Advanced topics also include mathematical exercises which, by the way, are very suitable for application purposes. The following sections include some mathematical exercises and problems for pondering together. They have been grouped according to the topics on the main page. New exercises will be introduced on the lists as soon as they can be found.

Earth-Moon-Sun:

If a rope stretched around the Earth is lifted everywhere 1 metre above the surface of the Earth, how much more rope will be needed?

How many degrees ‘away’ from the Sun does the Moon move in 24 hours, when the sidereal month is 27,3 d?

How long is a synodic month?

Solar system:

How long does it take for a signal to travel from the Earth to Saturn?

How many times further is Neptune from the Earth than from Venus?

How many globes could Jupiter contain?

It is alleged that earlier there has been a planet between Mars and Jupiter. What would be the revolving time for this planet if its distance to Mars were 350 million kilometres?

Stars and constellations:

Galaxies:

A remote galaxy contains about 250 million stars. The visual magnitude of the galaxy is 9. What would be the visual magnitude of one single star if the magnitudes of them all are assumed to be the same?

Determine the diametre of the Andromeda galaxy by using a slide picture.

Universe:

Calculate the radius of a virtual event horizon sphere for the Earth and the Sun.  

Observation:

Calculate the declination of the Sun by using a yardstick and its shadow.

Astrophotography:

Calculate the distance to a remote cluster of stars by using a reflected slide picture on the wall.

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