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I don't think there's a particular site devoted entirely to astronomy math. It would definitely be useful, but I think you have to learn each of them individually. There's some information on the Astronomy Wiki, if you haven't looked at it yet. There are also several tests on the Test Exchange that are good in terms of using equations, so you can use those to try to gain practice, since a lot of the math is just recognizing what equation(s) you need to use in the scenario they give you.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!

I was in your same boat about a month ago. You're going to have to learn most of the equations separately, however I did find a pretty decent site for learning some stellar math (it is limited, so don't rely on it for all you math research).

http://astronomyonline.org/Science/Form ... te2=MP0402

Scroll down and look to your left. There should be some formulas which are pretty handy.

Has anyone looked at the test exchange at the Northview 2013 test that could help me on #1?

I understand where the formulas come from, but I don't understand where d= 1/.00589^11 came from. I don't understand why the paralax angle is now a decimal, being rasied to the 11th power. Any help?

runnergirl wrote:Has anyone looked at the test exchange at the Northview 2013 test that could help me on #1?

I understand where the formulas come from, but I don't understand where d= 1/.00589^11 came from. I don't understand why the paralax angle is now a decimal, being rasied to the 11th power. Any help?

Its not an eleven, its the symbol for arcseconds (so its 0.00589 arcseconds, not 0.00589 to the eleventh).

To elaborate a little bit on what Briscon said, the symbol for arcseconds is " . Also, the symbol for arcminutes is ' and the symbol for arcdegrees is just °, so if you see those, those are unit measures rather than indications that the value is being raised to the first or zeroth power.

Ah that makes sense now. Totally acing this test..aha...
Thanks everyone!

Just out of curiosity, I know the rules mention "DS9 Imaging Analysis Software," has anyone actually had to use it for a test? Or maybe even know how to use it? Also when it says "light curves, motions, ...etc" What does it mean by motions? Like planetary motions? One last thing for RR Lyrae light curves the x-axis is labeled as phases. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rr_lyrae_ltcrv_en.svg) Are phases just like angles?
Thanks!

I've seen it on some of the nats tests on the test exchange. You can look it up and download it I believe. I think by motions it means stuff like proper motion, tangential motion, or space motion. I guess even planetary and other motions of stars could be involved too really. As for light curves I guess you could describe phases as an angle? I mean, it's still a part of the normal definition for a light curve (magnitude plotted against time). Looking it up phase seems to be calculated from elapsed time/period, but you can look into that more.

Unfortunately the test exchange is still down and I don't recall any National tests on there from the past few years being posted. Do you think it's likely that the state test will have it?

Orange714 wrote:Unfortunately the test exchange is still down and I don't recall any National tests on there from the past few years being posted. Do you think it's likely that the state test will have it?

Actually, I find that if you click the link it doesn't work, but going through the wiki and then to the test exchange from something like a "Tests" tab works. Here's a link in case what I say makes no sense (which sadly doesn't sometimes): http://scioly.org/wiki/index.php/Test_E ... #Astronomy
I don't think states tests use it as much as nationals. I don't know why, but that's what I've seen. But of course, there is always the astro motto of be prepared for anything. Hope that helped.