Sidereal Time Diagram
Photo Credit- http://www.astro.cornell.edu/academics/courses/astro201/sidereal.htm
Clocks

 

 

Code Number: 8A10.40

Demo Title: Sidereal Time

Area of Study: Astronomy

Equipment: 

Analog and Digital Sidereal Clocks.

Procedure:

The sidereal clocks will need to be powered up and set before class.  Use one of the small 12 volt lead-acid batteries to power the digital clock.  MAKE SURE YOU CONNECT THE BATTERY TO THE DIGITAL CLOCK WITH THE CORRECT ORIENTATION AS REVERSING THE LEADS WILL DESTROY THE CLOCK.  You can also add a regular clock to show the difference between the normal time of day and the sidereal time.  

References:

  • Charles A. Eckroth, "Observations of the Sidereal Day", TPT, Vol. 34, # 2, Feb. 1996, p. 94.
  • Volker Thomsen, "Two Problems in Mechanics", TPT, Vol. 32, # 2, Feb. 1994, p. 111.
  • Brian Monson, "A Simple Method of Measuring the Length of the Sidereal Day", TPT, Vol. 30, # 9, Dec. 1992, p. 558.
  • Milton P. Eisner, "Sidereal Time", TPT, Vol. 29, # 5, May 1991, p. 265.
  • D. Tattersfield, "4.4, Sidereal Time", Projects and Demonstrations in Astronomy, p. 50.