Informal astronomy questionnaire
I am curious about the experiences of my readers and listeners with basic astronomy. This is an informal survey.
We are now just past Mars retrograde square Neptune. That was in full focus about two hours ago, a little less.
Today I have a few questions to get a sense of the level of astronomical experience of my readers and listeners. Most involve direct experience. Some involve past study.
My question is, to how many of these questions can you answer yes and would you like to give it a go (note, most people will answer no to most of the questions).
Have you ever witnessed a solar or lunar eclipse, in person? Have you ever traveled to another place do so?
Have you seen Mars in the night sky in recent days or weeks, and can you explain why you can see it now but not at other times?
Have you ever witnessed a planetary transit, such as the transits of Venus in 2004 or 2012?
How many times have you carefully observed the Moon rising or setting?
Do you keep a pair of binoculars handy to view the Moon, or do you or a friend have a telescope that you’ve used?
Have you ever seen the moons of Jupiter through a telescope?
Can you explain what a meteorite shower is?
How many of the stars in the sky can you name?
Can you point to the center of the Milky Way galaxy when looking at the night sky?
Do you understand why you cannot see Venus and Mercury when they are retrograde?
As for academic or general knowledge:
Have you ever taken a university-level astronomy class?
Have you ever read an astronomy book?
Can you say something about the contributions of Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo toward our understanding of planetary motion?
Thank you for your thoughts.
— efc
People think that the revolving and orbiting movement is fast -- try this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rENyyRwxpHo
VIA EMAIL
Today I have a few questions to get a sense of the level of astronomical experience of my readers and listeners. Most involve direct experience. Some involve past study.
My question is, to how many of these questions can you answer yes and would you like to give it a go (note, most people will answer no to most of the questions).
Have you ever witnessed a solar or lunar eclipse, in person? Have you ever traveled to another place do so?
I have witnessed many lunar eclipses including the eclipse that just occured. I have even hosted a viewing party once, when the timing of the eclipse was favorable.
I have seen one Total Solar eclipse, the Great American Eclipse. I organized a trip for me and 4 of my friends. We traveled to Nebraska (from Austin, TX) to view it. I have also witnessed a number of partial eclipses and saw it in various ways, including the natural way through pour in leaves.
Have you seen Mars in the night sky in recent days or weeks, and can you explain why you can see it now but not at other times?
Yes and Yes. Mars is most easy to see during retrograde/opposition, as it is now. I observe Mars throughout the year, even when it is only visible in the predawn hours.
Have you ever witnessed a planetary transit, such as the transits of Venus in 2004 or 2012?
I saw the transit of Venus in 2012 via the internet.
How many times have you carefully observed the Moon rising or setting?
Weather permitting, I observe the moon rising and setting many times each month. My current home (of 3+ years) has an excellent view of the NE and ENE, so I can best observe the moon when rising in the summer signs.
Do you keep a pair of binoculars handy to view the Moon, or do you or a friend have a telescope that you’ve used?
Yes, I do keep a pair of binoculars handy
Have you ever seen the moons of Jupiter through a telescope?
I don't think I have.
Can you explain what a meteorite shower is?
Yes, in basic terms.
How many of the stars in the sky can you name?
There are not very many stars I know by name. I can, however, identify a number of constellations (and this tends to increase as the years go by).
Can you point to the center of the Milky Way galaxy when looking at the night sky?
Probably not when in Austin, where I live, because there is too much light pollution. I can find the milky way when in the country and could probably find the approximate center of the Galaxy just because I would know where to find Sagittarius.
Do you understand why you cannot see Venus and Mercury when they are retrograde?
Absolutely, because they are passing in between Earth and the Sun. However, I would argue that you can see them at the early and late stages of retrograde when they are near maximum elongation.
As for academic or general knowledge:
Have you ever taken a university-level astronomy class?
No.
Have you ever read an astronomy book?
No.
Most of my astronomy knowledge has come from my Astrology studies combined with extensive observation and simply by thinking about it.
Can you say something about the contributions of Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo toward our understanding of planetary motion?
I probably could tell you what we have learned from them as a whole, but would not likely be able to attribute specific ideas to the specific person.
Thank you for your thoughts.