The Effect of Variable Stars

The use of small tube depicted by toilet paper roll (sighting device) limits the field of view of the eye. The limited field is comprehended as an angular area of the sky. Therefore, counting the stars within the angular area of the sky, an individual might easily estimate the total number of stars with the naked eye in the sky based on the number observed in that sample. Having used the standard toilet paper, Length=11.5cm while inside diameter is 3.7 cm. This implies that I have found 0.00647 = 1/155 of the entire sky having observed the tube.  

Star Count Observations and Data

Location of Observation (1): _______________Lorton area _____________________________

Date ________17 January 2018____________Time __1003________ pm

Star count 1

3

Star count 2

2

Star count 3

1

Star count 4

2

Star count 5

3

Star count 6

1

Star count 7

1

Star count 8

1

Star count 9

1

Star count 10

1

Total count

16

Total Number of Sample Stars Observed __16_________

Calculated Number of Visible Stars _____16______

Location of Observation (2): ________Proving grounds in Aberdeen MD____________________________________

Date ______18 January 2018______________Time _____1045_____ pm

Star count 1

3

Star count 2

2

Star count 3

1

Star count 4

1

Star count 5

3

Star count 6

1

Star count 7

1

Star count 8

1

Star count 9

1

Star count 10

1

Total count

15

Total Number of Sample Stars Observed __15_________

Calculated Number of Visible Stars _____15______

Location of Observation (3): ______Rockville area______________________________________

Date ________19 January 2018____________Time ___1140_______ pm

Star count 1

1

Star count 2

0

Star count 3

0

Star count 4

1

Star count 5

1

Star count 6

0

Star count 7

1

Star count 8

1

Star count 9

0

Star count 10

0

Total count

5

Total Number of Sample Stars Observed ___5________

Calculated Number of Visible Stars _______5__________

Question:

Discuss possible reasons why your observed number of stars might be different at each of your observation locations.

These differences are observed based on various reasons. Among the motives is the presence of variable stars which change their behavior and may not be visible in every location. Additionally, this might be as well based on the time of experimentation; for instance, more stars are observed late night as opposed to early the night.