IAO for people in a hurry

IAO Malaysia Team 2021

October 2021

More resources here 1.5 Declination of the Sun

2πt
sin δ = sin ϵ sin (8)
T
1 Positional astronomy
IAO officially uses the approximation:
1.1 Parsecs 2πt
δ = ϵ sin (9)
d = 1/θ (1) T
θ is the parallax in arcseconds. [d] =pc. T is one year. t is time since vernal equinox (March
21). Make sure T and t is same units (usually days).
1.2 Altitude, declination and latitude You should remember ϵ = 23◦ 26′ is the axial tilt of
Earth obit, also note that the maximum declination is
Must learn to derive these equations by drawing dia- thus 23◦ 26′
grams!
The maximum altitude if object culminates north
1.6 Planetary configuration
of zenith
amax = 90◦ + ϕ − δ (2)Phase angle (α) is the Sun-object-observer angle. Elon-
gation (ϵ) is the Sun-observer-object angle. Usually
The maximum altitude if object culminates south
observer is at Earth. See Fig 1.
of zenith
◦
amax = 90 − ϕ + δ (3)
Altitude of lower culmination

amin = δ + ϕ − 90◦ (4)

Careful when doing this in the southern hemi-

sphere: derive accordingly
From above you can derive,
1
δ= (amax + amin ) (5)
2
1
ϕ = 90◦ − (amax − amin ) (6)
2

1.3 Local sidereal time, hour angle and

right ascension
You must remember the definitions of these quantities.
LST is the hour angle of vernal equinox. HA is the
angle measured westwards from the meridian. RA is Figure 1: Planetary configuration
the eastwards angle from the vernal equinox.

LST = HA + RA (7)
1.7 Sidereal v. solar
1.4 Sign of Equation of Time The following can be derived easily. See Roy Clarke.
If you can’t remember, just memorise/understand that
NYSS (pronounce “NICE”): New Year Sundial Slow, one solar day is longer than one sidereal day.
ie apparent solar time < mean solar time near January.
366.25
24h of solar time = × 24h of sidereal time
365.25
(10)

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1.8 Synodic period 3.3 The axes and eccentricity
in: inner, out: outer. If you can’t remember, just make Derive from Pythagoras. See Fig 2.
sure that Psyn > 0
1 1 1
= − (11)
Psyn Pin Pout

2 Radiation
For more information, check out Planck’s radiation
law, but not required.

2.1 Flux intensity Figure 2: The axes and eccentricity

L = 4πR2 F (12)
a2 = (ae)2 + b2 (19)
2.2 Pogson’s magnitudes Remembering the position of ae allows you to easily
F1 find the perihelion and aphelion distances. Also, the
m1 − m2 = −2.5 log (13) sum of distances from each foci to a point on an ellipse
F2
is always d1 + d2 = 2a.
Use the relationship with luminosity to get the dis-
tance modulus. Absolute magnitude: star at 10pc.
3.4 Eccentricity
d
mapp − mabs = 5 log (14) Conic sections include ellipses (e < 1), parabola (e =
10
1), hyperbola (e > 1). Circles are special case ellipse
[d] =pc
(e = 0).
Ellipse is when the object cannot escape (hence in
2.3 Stefan-Boltzmann law orbit). Parabola is when an object has exactly the
Derive (hard, unnecessary) from Planck’s. Relates flux amount of energy to escape. Hyperbola is when the
intensity to temperature object has excess energy even after escaping.

F = σT 4 (15)
3.5 Kepler’s Laws
−8
σ = 5.670 × 10 is given
All Kepler’s laws can be derived from Newton’s gravi-
tational law, but not required.
2.4 Wien’s displacement law
Derive (hard, unnecessary) from Planck’s. Gives the 3.5.1 First: Law of Orbits
peak wavelength of a blackbody at a temperature. Note
Gravitational orbits are conic sections. See Fig 3.
this is not the only wavelength, the blackbody emits a
continuous spectrum.
b
λ= (16)
T
b = 2.898 × 10−3 is given

3 Celestial Mechanics
3.1 Newton’s gravitation
GM m
F = (17)
r2

3.2 Gravitational energy

GM m
U =− (18)
r
Potential energies are always negative (you need to pay
energy to send something out of space into infinity, Figure 3: Kepler’s First Law
so if you are near Earth, you are already owe energy
to Earth. You need to pay your debts before able to Equation is optional for IAO. No need memorise.
escape Earth. The further away from Earth, the lesser a(1 − e2 )
your debt, but still negative) r= (20)
1 + e cos θ

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Geometric interpret p = a(1 − e2 ) of Fig 3. 3.9 Schwarzschild radius
Radius of a (over simplified) black hole. Don’t memo-
3.5.2 Second: Law of Areas rise, you can derive from escape velocity above (erro-
Equal area is swept at equal duration. See Fig 4. neous, but the rigorous derivation is very complicated).
2GM
r= (26)
c2

3.10 Hill Sphere

Region of gravitational dominance of secondary. Op-
tional derivation.
r
m
rH ≈ r 3 (27)
3M
r is distance between primary and secondary. Note
that this means rH also changes throughout the orbit.
M mass of primary, m mass of secondary.

Figure 4: Kepler’s Second Law 3.11 Roche Limit

Distance where the secondary will start to disintegrate
The total area of ellipse is A = πab. There is no
due to tidal forces from primary. Optional derivation.
elementary formula for the perimeter of the ellipse.
r
3 2M
3.5.3 Third: Law of Periods d ≈ Rs (28)
m
Relates period to semi-major axis Rs is the radius of the secondary. Note that this means
Roche limit is unique to each primary-secondary pair.
4π 2
P2 = a3 (21) M mass of primary, m mass of secondary.
G(M + m)

Usually m is negligible 4 Optics

3.6 Virial Theorem 4.1 General Snell’s law
For a large system like a nebula See Fig 5. Also the definition of n = vc . Just make sure
n ≥ 1 always. (Optional: derive from Huygens)
U
K +U = (22)
2
where U is potential energy. Note that total energy is
half the potential energy, and is negative since U ≤ 0.
For two objects in orbit,
 
1 GM m GM m
mv 2 + − =− (23)
2 r 2a

3.7 Vis-viva
Derive from Virial Theorem. Optional and not re-
quired, but usable when you are out of ideas.
 
2 2 1
v = GM − (24)
r a

Figure 5: Snell’s Law

3.8 Escape velocity
Don’t memorise, you can derive from vis-viva by set-
ting a = ∞, or derive from energy conservation. n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ2 (29)
r
2GM 4.2 Thin lens
v= (25)
R 1 1 1
= + (30)
f u v

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4.3 Rayleigh’s Criterion 6.1 Constellations
Minimum angular distance to discern two objects. 6.1.1 Equatorial System
λ 15 at plane. Notably, Psc (RA ≈ 0, intersect with
θ = 1.22 (31) ecliptic as vernal equinox), Orion (belt RA ≈ 6h), Vir
D
(intersect as autumnal equinox, Spica RA ≈ 13h), Aqr
The constant 1.22 is for circular aperture (constant is (Altair RA ≈ 20h).
different for, eg rectangular). Sometimes, and in prac- North CE pole at UMi (Polaris). South CE pole at
λ
tice, you can use θ ≈ D Oct (near Sigma Oct).

4.4 Magnification of telescopes 6.1.2 Ecliptic System

Objective over eyepiece. If you can’t remember, just 12+1 at plane. Famous mnemonic: The ramble twins
make sure m > 1 crab liverish, scaly scorpions are good water fish. Ram
fo
m= (32) (Ari), Bull (Tau), Twins (Gem), Crab (Cnc), Li-on
fe (Leo), Ver-gin (Vir), Scaly (Lib), Scorpions (Sco), Are-
cher (Sgr), Good/goat (Cap), Water (Aqr), Fish (Psc).
4.5 Field of view RA=0 at Psc, and increases in this order. Note the
F OVeyepiece ecliptic plane also cuts Ophiuchus (Oph), between Sco
F OVtelescope ≈ (33) and Sgr.
m
North ecliptic pole at Dra. South ecliptic pole at
5 Cosmology Dor.
Note that Sun is at Psc with (RA=0) on vernal
5.1 Hubble’s Law equinox. This info can help you estimate the date of
an unknown star chart. (eg if Sun at Virgo, it’s around
Get expansion velocity of extragalactic objects. September (March+6)). Note that it is one month later
than the your civil “zodiac signs”. (eg Sun intersects
v = H0 D (34) Lib at 23rd Oct - 22nd Nov instead of 23rd Sep - 22nd
Oct)
H = 70(km/s)/Mpc but the value is controversial, usu-
ally given. Can also get the age of the universe through
6.1.3 Galactic System
t = 1/H0 . Be careful of units, use D in Mpc, v is
km/s. 27 at plane. Galactic centre at Sgr. Notable constella-
tions on the galactic plane (not exhaustive): Cyg, Cas,
5.2 Doppler effect Per, Ori, CMa, Cru, Sco.
North galactic pole at Com. South ecliptic pole at
For stationary observer, define z Scl.
λobsv − λemit
z= (35) 6.2 Messier objects
λemit
For low speeds (v ≪ 0.1c): Memorise the type, appearance, and positions of all
110 Messier objects if possible. Here are the famous.
v
z≈ (36)
c MX Name Cons
M31 Andromeda Galaxy And
Remember that redshift (longer wavelength, lower fre-
quency) occurs when the object moves away (positive M1 Crab Nebula Tau
velocity). Use this fact to check your answers. M42 Orion Nebula Ori
The relativistic version: M27 Dumbbell Nebula Vul
M16 Eagle Nebula Ser
 v
1+z = 1+ γ (37) M13 Hercules Globular Cluster Her
c M8 Lagoon Nebula Sgr
M45 Pleiades Tau
p
γ = 1/ 1 − (v/c)2 aka Lorentz factor.
M7 Ptolemy Cluster Sco
M57 Ring Nebula Lyr
6 Observation
Then check out Caldwell.
Use a star chart, Stellarium or any stargazing apps to
help in this section.
6.3 Asterisms/patterns
Look these up on Google. Recognising them will greatly
help with map/observational problems. Also note the

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date/season when these constellations culminates at 7 Misc
midnight.
7.1 Small angle approximations
• Summer triangle
θ in radians.
• Winter hexagon
sin θ ≈ θ (38)
• Winter triangle 2
θ
cos θ ≈ 1 − ≈1 (39)
• Pegasus’ square 2
tan θ ≈ θ (40)
• Sagittarius’ teapot
• Orion’s belt 7.2 Planar trigonometry
• Lyra’s parallelogram
a b c
= = (41)
• (Aquila) Altair’s two friends sin A sin B sin C
c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos C (42)
• The crowns (Corona Borealis, Australis)
• The southern cross (Crux) 7.3 Conservation of angular momentum
It is equivalent to Kepler’s second law. All orbits must
6.4 Precession circle follow this.
26,000 year cycle. See Fig 6. The red dot is the North m1 v1 r1 = m2 v2 r2 (43)
Ecliptic Pole. Note Polaris is at +2000 (the year of the
Gregorian calendar). 7.4 Centripetal force
Useful for geostationary orbits. (Note: geosynchronous
= same period as Earth. geostationary = geosynchronous
and always above a certain point on Earth. Geostation-
ary is circular, geosynchronous can be elliptical).

mv 2
F = (44)
r

7.5 Arc length

θ in radians
s = rθ (45)

7.6 Exoplanet transit

Rp 2 ∆F
( ) = (46)
Rs F
Usually F is normalised to 1. See also deriving and
Figure 6: North precession circle calculating inclination via impact parameter
Check out the south precession circle.
7.7 Assumptions/knowledge
6.5 Stars/others Here are some values from past papers that IAO ex-
pects you to know/assume. If you think an important
Memorise the top 10 brightest stars: colours, common value is not given, just assume and set your significant
name, constellation, spectral class, apparent magni- figures appropriately (usually one sig fig).
tude, eq coordinates.
Memorise double stars (Albireo, ϵ Lyr): same char- • Atmospheric refraction at horizon (standard con-
acteristics as above. Check whether its optical double ditions): 35′
or visual binary.
Misc flashcards • Thickness of Milky Way: 400pc
Train relative positioning of constellations • Time taken for a Moon to return to a phase:
SFA star chart 29.53 days
SFA star chart with notes
Messier flashcards (prioritise starred) • Axial tilt/max solar declination: 23◦ 26′
Astro symbols: Planets, Zodiac
• Limiting magnitude for the naked eye: 6m

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 • Characteristic density of ice in comets: 200 −
400kg/m3
• Twilight. Civil (0◦ − 6◦ ), nautical (6◦ − 12◦ ),
astronomical (12◦ − 18◦ ): angle of the true Sun
centre below horizon.
• Ironically, Earth perihelion in winter (early Jan),
perihelion in summer (early Jun). (valid this
epoch, will change due to apsidal precession).

7.8 Others
See the IAO syllabus. Special relativity (easier than it
sounds, just understand the gamma factor and multi-
ply to the mass/length/time). Coordinate transforma-
tion between alta-azimuth, equatorial, ecliptic, galac-
tic. Read on Roy Clarke for more positional astronomy
(distance to horizon, how longitude affects timing).
Spherical trigonometry to get the distance between two
points on a sphere. Distance ladder (moving clusters
method, HR diagram fitting). Qualitative understand-
ing of turn-off points on HR diagram and thus the age
of cluster. Obtain colour excess from comparing main
sequence and thus getting interstellar extinction via
the empirical ratio 3.0. Estimate FOV by recording
the time taken for a star to cross the eyepiece. Contact
[email protected] for suggestions/corrections.
IAO papers
Eclipsing binary star simulator
Exoplanet transit simulator
Other simulations

7.9 Image credits

• Fig 1, By Wmheric - Positional astronomy.png,
CC BY-SA 3.0, link
• Fig 3, Krishnavedala, Public domain, via Wiki-
media Commons
• Fig 4 MikeRun, CC BY-SA 4.0 link, via Wikime-
dia Commons
• Fig 5, Sawims, Public domain, via Wikimedia
Commons

• Fig 6 By Tau’olunga - self, 4 bit GIF, CC BY-SA

2.5, link