Two stars are at the same declination angle of DECA = DECB = 65 but one has a ri

Question

Two stars are at the same declination angle of DECA = DECB = 65 but one has a right ascension of RAA =14h08m22s the other has a right ascension of RAB =14h22m17s. Convert the right ascensions of the stars to degrees, and calculate the difference be- tween the right ascension of the two objects. Now calculate the angular distance in degrees and in arcminutes between the two stars using the spherical geometry method presented in class. (Note: When talking fractions of a degree, an arcminute is 1/60 degree NOT one minute of right ascension. For minutes of RA, we mean 1/60 of an hour and there are 24h in a full circle.)

Explanation / Answer

RAA = 14h 08m 22s

24 h = 360 deg ;    1 h = 360/24 = 15 deg ; 1m = 1/4 deg ; 1s = 1/240 deg

RAA in deg = 14*15 + 8/4 + 22/240 = 212.092 deg

RAB = 14h 22m 17s

         = 14*15 + 22/4 +17/240 = 215.571 deg

angular distance between the stars = 215.571 - 212.092 = 3.479 deg

                                                          = 3o 28.73'

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