Calculating Star Visibility: RA and DEC at 09:30 on May 21st

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In summary, the conversation revolves around determining the right ascension (RA) of stars at a specific time and location. The question is whether the RA at 09:30 on 21st May can be used to determine the observable RA of a star at 00:00. The suggested method is to add 14.5 hours to the RA at 09:30, but there is uncertainty about which time scale should be used - local time, Universal Time, GMT, or Dynamical Time.
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Chronos000
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Homework Statement



If at 09:30 21st may what would the RA of stars be at the zenith?

I'm not sure if we can say that they are at 3.5hrs since we are in may?

If a star is at RA 5hrs would at 09:30 would it be observable at 00:00.

My thoughts are that you just add on 14.5 hrs to the RA at 09:30, and we want it to be 12 hours from where the sun would be. but the sun would be at pretty much the same RA
 
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  • #2
09:30 21st May using what time scale? Local time? (If so, what's your location?) Universal Time? GMT? Dynamical Time?
 

FAQ: Calculating Star Visibility: RA and DEC at 09:30 on May 21st

What is RA and DEC?

RA stands for Right Ascension, which is a celestial coordinate used in astronomy to pinpoint the location of a celestial object in the sky. DEC stands for Declination, which is another celestial coordinate used to measure the distance of a celestial object from the celestial equator.

How do you calculate star visibility?

Star visibility can be calculated by taking into account the RA and DEC of the star, as well as the observer's location and the time of observation. This information can be used to determine the altitude and azimuth of the star, which indicates its position in the sky relative to the observer.

3. Why is the specific date and time of May 21st at 09:30 important for calculating star visibility?

The date and time of observation are important because the positions of celestial objects in the sky are constantly changing due to the Earth's rotation and its orbit around the Sun. May 21st at 09:30 is a specific date and time chosen for observation, but the calculations can be applied to any date and time.

4. What tools or equations are used to calculate star visibility?

There are various tools and equations that can be used to calculate star visibility, such as a star chart, a star atlas, or online calculators. The equations used depend on the method of calculation, such as using celestial coordinates or the altitude-azimuth system.

5. How accurate are the calculations for star visibility?

The accuracy of the calculations for star visibility depends on the precision of the input data and the method of calculation used. With accurate and up-to-date data, the calculations can be very precise. However, factors such as atmospheric conditions and light pollution can also affect the actual visibility of stars in the sky.

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