1. The Motions of the Planets

2. Planet means “Wanderer”

3. A planet moving against the stars

4. How can we classify the planets to make sense of their motions?

9. When is Jupiter high in the Sky? 1=Morn.,2=Noon,3=Afternoon, 4=Eve,5=Midnight

10. When is Venus Visible? 1=Morn.,2=Noon,3=Afternoon, 4=Eve,5=Midnight

13. 2 Kinds of Planetary Motion “Inferior Planets” - Stay close to sun on ecliptic, quickly moving from one side of the sun to the other (ME,V) “Superior Planets” - Can be anywhere along ecliptic, slowly move W to E, occasionally looping E to W (MA, J, S) (Retrograde loop)

14. Mercury and Venus Are always seen “close” to the Sun “Close” means angular separation Mercury always less than 28° from Sun Venus always less than 47° from Sun

15. Retrograde Motion of Mars

16. “Retrograde” = opposite direction Always occurs when planet is high at midnight (i.e. opposite sun)

17. Retrograde Motion of Mars

18. Stellarium – planetary motion

19. END OF DATA AVAILABLE TO ANCIENTS

20. When it is Noon in Wisconsin, what time is it in Japan? A. 8 AM B. 4 PM C. 8 PM D. 4 AM

21. When Gemini is high in Wisconsin, what zodiacal constellation is highest in Greece? A. Leo B. Cancer C. Pisces D. Libra

22. We want to know the reasons for: Rotation of the celestial sphere The sun’s motion against the stars Seasons Direct motion of planets Retrograde motion of superior planets Why inferior planets stay close to the Sun

23. DATA and MODELS

24. Where you get the data: Experimental Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Biology Observational Sciences: Astronomy, Geology, Atmospheric/Oceanic Sciences, Biology

25. Models A good model: A good model: -Is as simple as possible -Organizes data -Explains observations -Explains observations -Makes predictions -Makes predictions

26. A model can be a: Hypothesis - educated guess Theory – Well-developed and accepted body of ideas

27. Claudius Ptolemy (c. 85-165)

28. The ancients knew the Earth was round The masts of sailing ships disappear when they sail away Shadows are shorter when you are nearer the equator The shadow of the earth is curved during a lunar eclipse

29. The Celestial Sphere

30. Ptolemy: Celestial Sphere Rotates around Stationary Earth

31. Sun Motion as Seen from Earth

32. Ptolemy’s Sun Sphere

33. The Sun on the Celestial Sphere

34. Ptolemy’s Sun Motion

35. Venus and Mercury: Ptolemy

37. Retrograde Motion: Ptolemy

38. Does position of Sun matter in this movie? A = Yes B = No

39. Ptolemy’s model explains... Night/Day = Rotation of Cel. Sphere Sun against Stars = Sun Sphere Motion Seasons = Sun Sphere Tilted Inf. Planets = Epicycles Linked to Sun Sup. Planet Motions = Planet Spheres Retrograde Motion (Sup.) = Epicycles

40. William of Occam (1288-1348)

41. Occam’s Razor: Simplest Model is Usually Best

42. Occam’s Razor non sunt multiplicanda entia praeter necessitatem (that entities are not to be multiplied beyond necessity) I.e. Keep it simple!

43. Nicolaus Copernicus (1473- 1543)

44. Rotation of Sky: Copernicus Celestial sphere (or distant stars, not necessarily all on a sphere) is fixed Earth rotates about its axis Same result, the sky seems to rotate Day when our part of the Earth facing Sun; night when our part is away from Sun

45. Copernicus: Earth rotates

46. Copernican Model

47. Copernicus’ View of the Solar System

48. Inferior and Superior Planets’ motion against sky all explained through circular orbits -- Simple Rule: Planets Nearer the Sun Move Faster

49. Sun’s Motion through the Stars

50. Copernicus: Why the Sun Seems to Move Through the Sky

51. Exercises: “The Earth in Orbit Around the Sun” “Why the Sun appears in different constellations throughout the year”

52. What constellation is the Sun in on August 1 st ? A. Libra B. Aquarius C. Aries D. Cancer

53. Now look at SFA starchart for August 1 st to see its precise location.

54. Exercise: Why the Constellations are up at different times of the year

55. On January 20, is Virgo visible at midnight? A. Yes B. No

56. What zodiacal constellation is highest in the sky on January 20? A. Taurus B. Gemini C. Cancer D. Virgo

57. Set up planisphere for midnight, January 20 and note which zodiacal constellations are visible

58. Seasons: Copernicus

59. Copernicus: What Causes the Seasons?

60. Venus and Mercury: Copernicus

61. Why Venus and Mercury only appear near the sun

62. Exercise: Why Inferior planets like Venus always appear somewhere near the Sun.

63. On January 1 st, Venus will _____ be in Virgo. A. always B. sometimes C. never

64. Can Venus ever set at midnight? A. Yes B. No

65. Retrograde Motion: Copernicus

66. Copernicus: Why Mars shows Retrograde Motion

67. How often do retrograde motions occur? A=Less than 1/yr B= 1/yr C=More than 1/yr

68. Retrograde Cars

69. How often does Neptune undergo retrograde loops? A.About once per week B.About once per month C.About once per year D.About once per decade

70. Exercise: How the superior planets like Jupiter mover through the constellations.

71. On January 1 2007, Jupiter will be in the constellation: A. Ophiuchus B. Aquarius C. Taurus D. Leo

72. On January 1 2009, Jupiter would appear in the ____ sky. A. Daytime B. Nighttime

73. Show April 2006 Star Map

74. Exercise: Determining Planetary Rise and Set Times.

75. What time did Jupiter set on July 1, 2005? A. 9:30 PM B. 11:30 PM C. 1:30 AM D. 3:30 AM

76. “How the superior planets like Jupiter undergo retrograde loops”

77. In 2007, when does Jupiter begin to move retrograde? A. January B. April C. August D. December

78. Copernicus’s model explains… Star’s Rotation & night/day: Earth’s rotation The Sun’s path through the stars The seasons: Earth’s axis tilt Direct motion of the planets by their orbits Retrograde motion by Earth passing planet Mercury’s and Venus’s behavior by their actual proximity to the Sun

79. Stellar Parallax

80. Problems with Copernicus’s Model Parallax -- Copernicus: “Stars far away” If Earth is rotating, wouldn’t we fly off? –Copernicus’s answer: not rotating that fast –Physics not yet good enough to show that Copernicus was right Wouldn’t there be a wind? –Copernicus’s answer: there would be worse forces on the spheres of Ptolemy’s model –Modern answer: atmosphere (mostly) rotates with Earth

81. Which Model? Explains available data Predicts new phenomena –Both models predict planet position to about the same degree of accuracy –Actually neither model works with high degree of detail Fits in with other scientific models Aesthetically pleasing –Importance of spheres –Simplicity (Occam’s razor) Need more data!