Lab 07
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Astronomy
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Jan 9, 2024
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Lab 7 – Halley’s Comet
AST 111 Lab – Halley’s Comet
1.
Define briefly each of the following terms:
a)
Perihelion = it is the moment when a planet or comet's orbit approaches the sun
closest.
b)
Aphelion = while it is at its farthest from the sun, it is opposite the perihelion
c)
Dust tail = a comet's trail as it passes directly behind it
d)
Ion tail = Comet's gas trail is what it is.
e)
Period (of an orbit) = the length of time needed to finish an orbit
Answer questions 2 thru 9 by using only the diagram provided in the instructions.
(Answers from other sources are not acceptable for this lab.)
2.
What is the approximate period of Halley’s Comet? Would you classify it as long
period or short period?
Answer: I'd guess the average time is 38 years.
3.
Does the comet move at uniform speed at all times? Give a specific reason for your
answer.
Answer: No, it doesn't because things progressed more quickly then—from 1948 to
1965, it lasted 17 years—but from 1981 to 1984, it only lasted three.
4.
Where is the comet moving at its fastest speed, and where is it moving at its slowest
speed?
Answer:
1984 to 1986 (fast), 1948 to 1965 (slow)
5.
Is its motion prograde or retrograde? The prograde motion of the planets is CCW on
the diagram, i.e. the direction the planets orbit the Sun.)
Answer: Given that the planets move progradely, would it be retrograde?
6.
In approximately what year will it next be at
aphelion
?
Answer: Given that 1948 minus 1986 is 38 years, we may infer that in 2024 things will
remain the same.
7.
In what year will it be at its next
perihelion
?
Answer: Once more, let's add 38 years, making it 2062
8.
Describe where you think Halley’s Comet is today.
Answer: Given that its 2023 it is most likely around aphelion
9.
Do you think Halley’s Comet has any tails now, and why do you think this?
Answer: Since all comets have tails and tails were first detected in 1986, I'm very
convinced that this is a comet.
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