Astronomy quiz question: non-circumpolar and circumpolar constellations

Astronomy 10 Quiz 1, Fall Semester 2007
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Astronomy 10 learning goal Q1.3

[Version 1]

[3.0 points.] According to your starwheel, which one of the following choices is not a circumpolar constellation, as seen by an observer in San Luis Obsipo, CA?
(A) Camelopardalis.
(B) Cassiopeia.
(C) Cepheus.
(D) Lacerta.
(E) Ursa Minor.

Correct answer: (D)

Moving the dial on a starwheel (planisphere) shows that while the other constellations stay above the horizon, Lacerta dips below the horizon, thus making it a non-circumpolar constellation.

Student responses
Section 1073
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 3 students
(D) : 42 students
(E) : 9 students

[Version 2]

[3.0 points.] According to your starwheel, which one of the following choices is a circumpolar constellation, as seen by an observer in San Luis Obsipo, CA?
(A) Auriga.
(B) Boötes.
(C) Camelopardalis.
(D) Gemini.
(E) Lacerta.

Correct answer: (C)

Moving the dial on a starwheel (planisphere) shows that while the other constellations eventually dip below the horizon, Camelopardalis always stays above the horizon, thus making it a circumpolar constellation.

Student responses
Section 0135
(A) : 1 student
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 30 students
(D) : 8 students
(E) : 0 students

Apparently students have the same rate of success in distinguishing non-circumpolar constellations from circumpolar constellations, and vice versa.