The Modelers of Kepler's Laws
Since the moon’s diameter appears larger when the moon is closer to the earth and smaller when the moon is farther from the earth, you can use apparent diameter data to construct the path of the moon’s orbit. The lunar orbit may be constructed using the relationship D (distance from earth to moon) = F/d, where F is the focal length of the telescope’s lens and d is the moon’s diameter (Barnes, 2003). Collection of sufficient data to construct the lunar path requires one month. After obtaining the data, you will plot moon distance versus time to construct the shape of the lunar orbit. The construction may be graphical or a scale model. You will compare your findings to Kepler’s First and Second Laws and present in a journal that supports the model.
Please navigate to this link to read more about this project: The Modelers Project.
Please navigate to this link to read more about this project: The Modelers Project.
Useful websites for planning your viewing:
A weekly description of the night sky: Sky and Telescope Magazine's Sky at a Glance
An interactive sky chart to assist you in determining the objects found in your telescope (besides the moon). The username is [email protected] and password is shschiefs; JAVA is required. Interactive Sky Chart.
An interactive sky chart to assist you in determining the objects found in your telescope (besides the moon). The username is [email protected] and password is shschiefs; JAVA is required. Interactive Sky Chart.
Shared spreadsheet for data recording
Click here for Moon Observation spreadsheet.
Sample graphical model under construction
lunar_orbit_sketch.pdf | |
File Size: | 322 kb |
File Type: |
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Reference: Barnes, J. (2003, November 29). Shape of the Moon's Orbit. Retrieved April 5, 2009, from University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy: http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/~barnes/ASTR110L_F03/moonorbit.html