1. Differential magnitude 15 points
At a given time, target flux = 0.945 and comparison flux = 0.998 (both normalized). Compute Δm = −2.5log10(F_target/F_comp).
Problems
2. Dip depth 15 points
Using the baseline Δm = 0.0054 mag (from t = 0.00 in Lab 04), compute the dip depth relative to baseline for the Δm found in Problem 1.
3. Plate scale 15 points
Two images of the same field show a pixel separation of 20.4 px for an object that moved 16.8 arcsec on the sky between exposures. Compute the plate scale in arcsec/pixel.
4. Rate of motion and classification 15 points
If the two images in Problem 3 were separated by 12 minutes, compute the object’s angular rate of motion in arcsec/minute and state whether this rate is more consistent with a main-belt asteroid or a fast-moving near-Earth object.
Due and Scope
Submit a clear solution with equations, units, labeled quantities, and a short narrative interpretation for each problem. Show every reduction step and state your assumptions explicitly; a correct final number without visible work receives partial credit at most.
OpenStax Companion Reading
Verify against OpenStax Astronomy 2e Chapter 17.1 (magnitudes) and Chapter 19.2 (astrometry) before instructional release.
References and Data Sources
- Corresponding lecture slides and notes for this unit.
- OpenStax Astronomy 2e (local reference copy: references/openstax-astronomy-2e.pdf).
- Course datasets under
materials/ASTR210/data/where referenced above.