Azimuth of Stationary Objects

In this activity you will use your Compass Rose Stargazing Mat find the azimuth of objects around the school yard from different points.

Student Objectives

Practice using Mat to make observations and measure approximate azimuth of objects 

Understand reference frames and the Horizontal Coordinate System 

Materials

Magnetic Compass

Compass Rose Stargazing Mat (Mat)

(thumb tack & string kit helpful)

Azimuth Activity sheet

Pencil

Procedure

1. Go to each location, marked by a cone, and use the Magnetic Compass to align your Mat so 0º is pointing directly North.
2. Stand or sit on your Mat facing each object for which you want to find the azimuth (bearing).
3. Use the marks on your Mat to estimate the azimuth for each object and record it on your table.

Data

Conclusions

Teacher

This activity helps students understand frames of reference.  The Horizontal coordinate system is observer centric, and therefore readings for the same object will change, depending on the location of the observer, even though we are all here on earth.  How do we describe the location of objects (buildings and such) so that people can find them, even if they are coming from different locations?  This is a good place to talk about regular maps, and the coordinate system used around the world to describe locations of things.

In astronomy, the horizontal coordinate system can be used to describe and compare the locations of objects in the sky when the observations are made from the same location.  Students will practice this in the next activity, Tracking the Sun.