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Assignment 1

This document provides instructions for an assignment on scaling the solar system. It includes 8 questions about topics like why leap years are necessary, calculating the mass of the Sun using orbital period and astronomical unit values, measuring angular displacements of objects with respect to the eyes and thumb, computing angular displacements of Mars and Venus, explaining patterns in Venus transits, and calculating signal travel times between Earth and Venus. Students are asked to show their work, define symbols, and present arguments logically using clear steps and explanations.

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Yang Woo Seong
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
61 views

Assignment 1

This document provides instructions for an assignment on scaling the solar system. It includes 8 questions about topics like why leap years are necessary, calculating the mass of the Sun using orbital period and astronomical unit values, measuring angular displacements of objects with respect to the eyes and thumb, computing angular displacements of Mars and Venus, explaining patterns in Venus transits, and calculating signal travel times between Earth and Venus. Students are asked to show their work, define symbols, and present arguments logically using clear steps and explanations.

Uploaded by

Yang Woo Seong
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Assignment 1: Scale of the Solar System

(Due: Week of 7 Feb 2021)

Instructions: Show each step of your calculations. Define the symbols you use. Lay
out your arguments logically and in full. Total marks: 130.

1. Why is a leap year necessary every 4 years? [10]

2. Using modern values for the orbital period and astronomical unit, compute the
mass of the Sun (in kg) using the equation provided in the lecture. Make sure you use
Standard International (S.I.) units for all quantities. [10]

3. Measure the distance between your eyes, expressing your answer in meters. With
your hand stretched to its fullest extent, measure the distance between your eyes and
your thumb, expressing your answer again in meters. Compute the angular
displacement of your thumb (expressed in degrees) with respect to selected distant
objects as you close your left and right eye alternatively. Take and show a picture of
these distant objects, indicating their angular separation. [20]
(On a night when the Moon is full, repeat this experiment with your thumb projected
against the Moon. Compare your answer with the diameter of the Moon, which is
about 31 arcminutes.)

4. Using the modern value for the distance between the Earth and Mars at opposition,
compute the angular displacement of Mars with respect to background stars in
Cassini’s experiment. The straight-line separation between Paris and French Guiana
is about 6,680 km. Keep in mind that the orbit of Mars is quite eccentric, so that the
distance between Earth and Mars during opposition is not a single fixed value. [20]

5. Why do transits of Venus occur in pairs every 8 years? See hint given in lecture
notes. [20]

6. Using the modern value of the AU, compute the angular displacement of Venus
against the Sun as observed from the North and South (rotational) poles assuming
perfect alignment between the Earth, Venus, and Sun as the example in the lecture
notes. What fraction of the Sun’s angular diameter (about 32 arcminutes) does your
answer correspond to? [20]

7. If you had been in South America or Australia during the transit of Venus in 1769,
what parts of the transit could you have seen? [10]

8. Assuming perfectly circular orbits for both Earth and Venus and modern values for
their average orbital radii, compute the largest angle Venus subtends from the Sun as
seen from the Earth. During this configuration between the two Planets and the Sun,
how long would it take for a radio signal sent from the surface of the Earth to return
after reflecting from the surface of Venus? You may quote values for the average
radii of the Earth and Venus from Wikipedia. [20]

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