Lab 3

Name:________ ______________ Date:________ _________ PHYS 110L Lab # 3 Orbital Motion of the Earth-Moon and Jupiter-Io Systems 1 Learning Objectives: In this lab assignment you will conduct a series of inquiries, using a solar system simulator, about the position and motion of the Earth and the Moon and Jupiter and its moon Io. Equipment: access to https://space.jpl.nasa.gov Please bring a ruler to the lab. Instructions: Please read and follow the steps described below and answer all questions. Part #1 Computer Simulator Setup: Step 1. Go to the website: https://space.jpl.nasa.gov Step 2. In the Targets and Date section, under the Show me drop-down menu, select …the Moon and under the as seen from drop-down menu, select the Sun . Step 3. Under the Field of View section, click the radio button I want a field of view of and change the number of degrees to 0.5 . Step 4. Under the Options section, select -extra brightness and then click the Run Simulator button. Part #2 Exploration of Earth-Moon System: Step 5. The resulting image from running the simulator is what one would see if looking through a special telescope. Question 1: For this image, where is this special telescope located? The telescope is located on the Sun. 1 Modified from Engaging in Astronomical Inquiry , by S. J. Slater, T. F. Slater, and D. J. Lyons, 2010, W. H. Freeman and Company. 1

Question 2: How does the image change if you increase the field-of-view? To answer this, hit the back button on your browser and change the I want a field of view value to be 2 degrees and run the simulator. It zoomed out, so we can see more of the surrounding area. Also, the Moon and the Earth become closer together. Step 6. Now change the field-of-view value back to 0.5 degree and run the simulator. Question 3: What is the exact date of the image given in the upper left-hand corner? 2023 SEP 13 Question 4: Astronomers typically mark images based on the time it currently is in Greenwich, England, called universal coordinated time (UTC). What is the precise time listed on the image? 00:00:00 UTC Question 5: Use a ruler to measure the distance on your monitor or screen between the middle of the Earth and the middle of the Moon. What is the measured distance ? Positive values are measured to the right and negative values to the left . You do not need to know the exact number in kilometers or miles, but simply a ruler measurement ( e.g. inches, mm, etc. ) so that you can compare other measurements you will make later. Record the distance here with the correct sign (+ or −). Distance: -1.2 in Step 7. Use the browser’s back button to return to the Solar System Simulator homepage. Now, advance the time by one hour (under the Targets and Date section), run the simulator, and determine the new distance between the Earth and the Moon. Record the distance here with the correct sign (+ or −). Distance: -1.1 in 2