Major theme: The Music of the Spheres – how we came to know the universe.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the epistemology of astronomy: how we came to know the clockwork universe and the physics if the natural world. The theory of astronomical knowledge, especially with regard to its methods, validity, and scope. Epistemology is the investigation of what distinguishes justified belief from opinion.
- Describe and contrast the geocentric and heliocentric models of the solar system.
- Use Kepler’s laws to describe the motion of objects in the Solar System.
- Explains how Galileo’s astronomical discoveries provided empirical evidence for the heliocentric model.
- Describe the work of Galileo and Newton, which led them to discover the physical laws that govern the motion of all objects.
- Explain the element’s of Newton’s universal law of gravitation.
- Use the laws of motion and gravitation to explain planetary motion.
- Explain how tidal forces from the Sun and Moon create Earth’s tides.
- Describe the effects of tidal forces on solid bodies.
Outline:
Heliocentric Solar System Model
- Copernicus’ model
- Observations made by Tycho Brahe
Kepler’s Cosmic Harmonies (Basis of orbital mechanics)
- Law of Ellipses
- Law of equal areas
- Harmonic Law
Galileo’s Cosmology
- Classical mechanics
- Observational astronomy with a telescope
Newton
- 1st Law: Law of motion
- 2nd Law: Force Law (F=ma)
- 3rd Law: Reaction Law
Gravity
- Gravity is a Force between any two objects due to their masses.
- An orbit is one body “falling around” another.
- Tidal forces are caused by gravity.
- Tidal forces affect solid bodies.
Activities & Assignments:
- Read textbook:
- ClassAction: Renaissance Astronomy: Kepler (lessons 1-3)
- POGIL: Universal Law of Gravity (see notes folder for handout)
- ClassAction: Renaissance Astronomy: Gravity (lessons 11-22)
- Lab 4: Kepler’s Laws, Gravity, and Orbits lab. See Student Lab manual for instructions. Phet simulation: Gravity and Orbits.
Extra Resources:
Star Party at Chamberlain Observatory
Kepler Observatory’s Tally of Planets.
Newton’s thought experiment with Orbits
Visit website: www.nineplanets.org
