8C10.55 - View of the Galactic Center from a Spiral Arm | Instructional Resources and Lecture Demonstrations

Code Number:

8C10.55

Demo Title:

View of the Galactic Center from a Spiral Arm

Condition:

Good

Principle:

Resolution and Observation from a Moving Platform

Area of Study:

Astronomy

Disclaimer

Equipment:

A Rotating Platform, Arm Attachment for Platform with Camera and Globe Mounts, Wireless Video Camera, Nerf Ball, Dust Masks from the 6F40.10 - Distortion due to Atmospheric Scattering - Reddening Due to Atmospheric Scattering or Interstellar Dust demo, Assorted size balls on Plexiglas handles.

Procedure:

Reposition the arm so that one end is at the center of the rotating platform. Mount the globe stand at the center of rotation and mount the Nerf ball at camera height. The camera represents our position at the edge of one of the spiral arms with the Nerf ball representing the galactic center. The view as the arm is rotated should show some parallax and a great deal of background movement in relation to the galactic center. You can also use the dust mask plates from the 6F40.10 - Distortion due to Atmospheric Scattering - Reddening Due to Atmospheric Scattering or Interstellar Dust demo to show how the mass of stars and dust interfere with our view of the galactic center. Some assorted size balls on Plexiglas handles can also be used to simulate large densities of stars obscuring the galactic center view.

^{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.}