8A10.40 - Sidereal Time

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

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.