AstronomyTeacher

If you participate in this project you can earn 5 observations in your observing notebook by documenting your measurements and providing evidence you sent your measurements in. You must compute the time of local solar noon or use the link provided in the message below to time your observation precisely (and show your work and the precise time of observation.)

If you can determine the diameter of the earth from the data in this message you can earn yourself some extra credit.

===========
From an astronomy listserv:


In December I had asked for help from this list to identify people to
participate in measuring shadows from a one-meter stick at noon on Dec. 21.
With your help we were able to generate wide-spread participation.
Following is a description of our continuing efforts to collect and record
similar information for the equinox on March 20. The information below also
contains a sample of data collected in December. You may want to try to use
this data to predict the length of a shadow from a one-meter stick at noon
in your area on March 20. Our experience suggests that doing these
measurements takes a great deal of effort but does open the door for the
development of scores of student generated questions that can lead to
quality inquiry. It is going to take some time to determine how this
activity may contribute to the development of understanding of the
Earth/Sun/Moon system and annual changes. If you or others you know would
like to participate and have their data included in our database please pass
this information on:

The International Shadow Investigation,

On December 21, 2004 we measured shadows from a one meter stick and received
some very good data from Australia to Alaska. A sample of the data is listed
below. We are now continuing the project and will be collecting shadow data
for the equinox on March 20, 2005. Participation in December is not
necessary to do the March measurements. Following is the information if you
wish to participate:

If you want to participate just measure the length of a shadow (in
centimeters) cast by sunlight from a vertical 100 centimeter (one-meter)
stick onto to a horizontal surface. This needs to be done as close as
possible to local or true noon on or about March 20, 2005. Optionally, if
time permits, we are also looking for similar data from moonlight from a
full Moon at midnight as close as possible to March 25 (the date of the full
Moon).

The time for making the observations should be as close as possible to local
or true noon (when the Sun or Moon is halfway between rising and setting).
A good estimated time for making Sun shadow measurements is about 12:30 PM
Standard time or 1:30 PM Daylight time. Estimated times for measurements
from the light of a full Moon are about 12:30 AM Standard time or 1:30 AM
Daylight time. Advanced Astronomers may want to find the exact times for
true noon or midnight (i.e. Sun or Moon transit). To do this, go to the U.S.
Naval Observatory website at
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html. and look for the Sun
transit and Moon transit times.

AFTER YOU MAKE YOUR OBSERVATIONS PLEASE SEND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION BY
E-MAIL TO shadowdata@thesciencecenter.org :

* First name(s) of person(s) making the measurements
* Was this measurement for shadows made by sunlight or moonlight?
* Date of measurement
* Time of measurement
* Length of shadow in centimeters
* Your latitude and longitude. To find latitude and longitude for your
location or a place near you, go to http://www.heavens-above.com/ and click
on "Select your location from our huge database." Then select your country
and a city near you.
* Location (City/State/Country)

OPTIONALLY advance astronomers may want to include the following
information:

* Length of daylight on the day the observation was made. There are several
ways to find the length of daylight. Local newspapers, an almanac, or
astronomy magazines may have the information or you can access
http://encarta.msn.com/media_701500905/Hours_of_Daylight_by_Latitude.html.
for information on daylight by latitude.
* What was the height of the Sun or Moon? See the table at the end of this
e-mail for calculating the heights or altitudes based upon the length of the
shadows made.
* What direction was the shadow was pointing?


MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION:

The Science Center of Inquiry in Fountain Hills Arizona, USA, sponsors an
international collaborative effort to record the length of shadows from a
one meter stick at various times during the year (i.e. the solstices and
equinoxes). The effort is an extension of an IDEAS grant funded by NASA
through the Space Science Telescope Institute and information collected will
be available at no cost.

This is a world wide project, that began in December 2004, to record the
length of the shadow cast by a vertical one meter stick at local or "true"
noon in December, March, June, and September on the longest, shortest, and
in-between days of the year called the solstices and equinoxes. As an option
we are also seeking similar data for shadows created by full moonlight at
midnight. All persons are invited to participate and participation in the
December data collection is not required for participation at this time.

FOLLOWING ARE SOME SAMPLE MEASUREMENTS FROM ON OR NEAR DECEMBER 21, 2004. A
complete list of shadow measurements is available by e-mail to
shadowdata@thesciencecenter.org . MAYBE YOU CAN PREDICT THE LENGTH OF MARCH
SHADOWS BASED UPON THESE REPORTED OBSERVATIONS. What questions may this data
help develop? What patterns can we find?:

Shadows from SUNLIGHT on or about 12/21/05:

Alaska USA: Lat.: 61.2N Shadow length: 978 cm Altitude Sun: 6 degrees Day
length: 5.4 hrs

WA state USA: Lat.: 45.6N Shadow length: 254 cm Altitude Sun: 21 degrees Day
length: 8.5 hrs

Ohio USA: Lat.: 40N Shadow length: 200 cm Altitude Sun: 27 degrees Day
length: 9.3 hrs

Arizona USA: Lat.: 32.2N Shadow length: 140 cm Altitude Sun: 35 degrees Day
length: 9.9 hrs

Mexico City: Lat.: 19.5N Shadow length: 93 cm Altitude Sun: 47 degrees Day
length: 11 hrs

Australia: Lat.: 33.9S Shadow length: 15.2 cm Altitude Sun: 81 degrees Day
length: 14.4 hrs

Australia: Lat.: 36.1S Shadow length: 23.8 cm Altitude Sun: 76.6 degrees Day
length: 14.6 hrs

Shadows from MOONLIGHT on or about 12/26/05:

Alaska USA: Lat.: 71.3N Shadow length: 97 cm Altitude Moon: 46 degrees Night
length: 24 hrs

Ohio USA: Lat.: 40N Shadow length: 24 cm Altitude Moon: 76 degrees Night
length: 14.7 hrs

Arizona USA: Lat.: 36.6N Shadow length: 10.5 cm Altitude Moon: 84 degrees
Night length: 14.3 hrs

Mexico City: Lat.: 19.5N Shadow length: 16 cm Altitude Moon: 81 degrees
Night length: 13 hrs

Australia: Lat.: 33.9S Shadow length: 168 cm Altitude Moon: 24 degrees Night
length: 9.64 hrs

Australia: Lat.: 36.1S Shadow length: 225 cm Altitude Sun: 24 degrees Day
length: 9.4 hrs


If you wish to calculate the height of the sun in degrees by using the
length of a shadow from a one-meter stick, we have a complete table that we
can send you. Following is a partial table.
Shadow(cm) Altitude in degrees
1143.00 5
567.13 10
373.21 15
274.75 20
214.45 25
173.21 30
142.81 35
119.18 40
100.00 45
83.91 50
70.02 55
57.74 60
46.63 65
36.40 70
26.79 75
17.63 80
8.75 85
0.00 90

We hope to receive your data:

Bill Schmitt, Executive Director & Science Partner The Science Center of
Inquiry (480) 816-6094 bill@thesciencecenter.org