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Galileo and Kepler Contributions to The Solar System Questions

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MasteringAstronomy Assignment #2

Process of Science: Galileo and Kepler’s Contributions to the Model of the

Solar System

Part A

Galileo Galilei was the first scientist to perform experiments in order to test his ideas. He was also the first

astronomer to systematically observe the skies with a telescope. Galileo made four key observations that

challenged the widely accepted philosophical beliefs on which the geocentric model was based, thus

providing support for the heliocentric model. From the following list of observations, which are the key

observations made by Galileo that challenged widespread philosophical beliefs about the solar systems?

Jupiter has orbiting moons.

The Sun has sunspots and rotates on its axis.

Venus goes through a full set of phases.

The Moon has mountains, valleys, and craters.

Part B

Johannes Kepler used decades of Tycho Brahe's observational data to formulate an accurate description

of planetary motion. Kepler spent almost 30 years of his life trying to develop a simple description of

planetary motion based on a heliocentric model that fit Tycho's data. What conclusion did Kepler

eventually come to that revolutionized the heliocentric model of the solar system?

Kepler determined that the planetary orbits are elliptical.

Part C

Astronomers have made many observations since the days of Galileo and Kepler to confirm that the Sun

really is at the center of the solar system, and that the planets revolve around the Sun in elliptical orbits.

Which observation(s) could you make today that Galileo and Kepler could not have made to confirm that

the heliocentric model is correct?

Transit of an extrasolar planet

Doppler shifts in stellar spectra of nearby stars

Stellar parallax in nearby stars

Ranking Task: Kepler’s Second Law of Planetary Motion

Part A

Each of the four diagrams below represents the orbit of the same comet, but each one shows the comet

passing through a different segment of its orbit around the Sun. During each segment, a line drawn from

the Sun to the comet sweeps out a triangular-shaped, shaded area. Assume that all the shaded regions

have exactly the same area. Rank the segments of the comet’s orbit from left to right based on the length

of time it takes the comet to move from Point 1 to Point 2, from longest to shortest. If you think that two (or

more) of the diagrams should be ranked as equal, drag one on top of the other(s) to show this equality.

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Part B

Consider again the diagrams from Part A, which are repeated here. Again, assume that all the shaded

areas have exactly the same area. This time, rank the segments of the comet’s orbit from left to right

based on the distance the comet travels when moving from Point 1 to Point 2, from longest to shortest. If

you think that two (or more) of the diagrams should be ranked as equal, drag one on top of the other(s) to

show this equality.

Part C

Consider again the diagrams from Parts A and B, which are repeated here. Again, assume that all the

shaded areas have exactly the same area. This time, rank the segments of the comet’s orbit based on

the speed with which the comet moves when traveling from Point 1 to Point 2, from fastest to slowest. If

you think that two (or more) of the diagrams should be ranked as equal, drag one on top of the other(s) to

show this equality.

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MasteringAstronomy Assignment #2 Process of Science: Galileo and Kepler’s Contributions to the Model of the Solar System Part A Galileo Galilei was the first scientist to perform experiments in order to test his ideas. He was also the first astronomer to systematically observe the skies with a telescope. Galileo made four key observations that challenged the widely accepted philosophical beliefs on which the geocentric model was based, thus providing support for the heliocentric model. From the following list of observations, which are the key observations made by Galileo that challenged widespread philosophical beliefs about the solar systems? Jupiter has orbiting moons. The Sun has sunspots and rotates on its axis. Venus goes through a full set of phases. The Moon has mountains, valleys, and craters. Part B Johannes Kepler used decades of Tycho Brahe's observational data to formulate an accurate description of planetary motion. Kepler spent almost 30 years of his life trying to develop a simple description of planetary motion based on a heliocentric model that fit Tycho's data. What conclusion did Kepler eventually come to that revolutionized the heliocentric model of the solar system? Kepler determined that the planetary orbits are elliptical. Part C Astronomers have made many observations since the days of Galileo and Kepler to confirm that the Sun really is at the center of the solar system, and that the planets revolve around the Sun in elliptical orbits. Which observ ...
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Tags: Galileo and Kepler Kepler Contributions Model of The Solar System Planetary Motion Second Law of Planetary Motion