Retrograde Motion Answer Sheet - Physics & Astronomy



Retrograde Motion Answer Sheet

Q. 1 Make predictions based on the following two questions and explain what data you used to make them.

How far apart in time are successive retrograde episodes for Mars? (approximately)

When will the next date of opposition for Mars occur? What is the relationship between retrograde motion and opposition? Explain your answer.

Your Obserations:

Part 1: Using the Starry night program to get a bit more familiar with the sky.

a) Use the Starry Night program to look for Mars during the month of September 2008.Record the date, time, right ascension, and declination for Mars

b) Change the times (you can set local path with a right click on Mars to see the path it follows) and determine what time Mars will set tonight.

c) What planet(s) are visible tonight?

d) During October when do the new moon, first quarter, full and last quarter moon occur? In what constellations do they occur?

Part 2: Using the Starry Night program to investigate the motion of Mars with respect to the stars.

a) How does the position of Mars change with respect to the stars over the course of a month? For this you will have to turn off the horizon and the sun. This time right click on Mars, de-select local path and select celestial path and centre.

e) Is Mars in direct or retrograde motion? Does it appear to change direction during this time period? Print out a star chart that helps to explain your answer. Be sure to use a white background when you print.

Part 2: With a new star chart examine how the position of Mars changes with respect to the stars for November/December 2007. What do you notice?

Q.2 How would you modify the predictions in Question 1 based on what you have seen using Starry Night?

Continuing investigation:

Describe how you can use using Starry Night to find the next opposition of Mars. Carry through the investigation – when do you expect the next opposition to occur?

Astronomy question:

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