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a) Imagine an astronaut visits Mars, a planet with a radius of nearly 3390 km. If the astronaut is 1.5 meters tall, approximately how far away would the horizon be located from the astronaut?

a) Imagine an astronaut visits Mars, a planet with a radius of nearly 3390 km. If the astronaut is 1.5 meters tall, approximately how far away would the horizon be located from the astronaut?

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
Section: Chapter Questions
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### Mars Exploration Problems #### a) Astronaut’s Horizon on Mars **Problem Statement:** Imagine an astronaut visits Mars, a planet with a radius of nearly 3390 km. If the astronaut is 1.5 meters tall, approximately how far away would the horizon be located from the astronaut? #### b) Radio Signal Travel Time **Problem Statement:** We can round numbers to say light (and all electromagnetic radiation: radio waves, infrared, ultraviolet, etc.) travels at approximately \(3 \times 10^8\) m/s. At its closest approach, Mars is approximately 0.5 au from the Earth. How long would it take for a radio signal sent from Earth to reach Mars? Give your answer in minutes. #### c) Spacecraft Travel Time **Problem Statement:** The Perseverance rover landed on Mars in early 2021. During travel to Mars, the spacecraft carrying the rover cruised at a speed of nearly 25,000 miles per hour. At this speed, how long would it have taken for the spacecraft to travel 0.5 au? Give your answer in days. --- ### Possibly Useful Equations/Relations: - **Distance = Speed × Time = v * t** - **Circle Circumference = π × Diameter = π * D** - **Diameter = 2 x Radius = 2 * R** ### Units and Abbreviations: - **m:** meter (distance) - **cm:** centimeter (distance) - **km:** kilometer (distance) - **AU:** Astronomical Unit (distance) - **s:** second (time) - **yr:** year (time) ### Relevant Numbers: - **Speed of Light = \(3 \times 10^8\) m/s** - **1 lightyear = the distance light travels in one year = \(9.5 \times 10^{12}\) km** - **1 au = 150,000,000 km = \(1.5 \times 10^8\) km** - **1 inch = 2.54 cm** - **1 m = 100 cm** - **1 m = 0.001 km** - **1 mile = 1.6 km** - **1 mile = 5280 feet** - **1 foot = 12 inches**
Transcribed Image Text:### Mars Exploration Problems #### a) Astronaut’s Horizon on Mars **Problem Statement:** Imagine an astronaut visits Mars, a planet with a radius of nearly 3390 km. If the astronaut is 1.5 meters tall, approximately how far away would the horizon be located from the astronaut? #### b) Radio Signal Travel Time **Problem Statement:** We can round numbers to say light (and all electromagnetic radiation: radio waves, infrared, ultraviolet, etc.) travels at approximately \(3 \times 10^8\) m/s. At its closest approach, Mars is approximately 0.5 au from the Earth. How long would it take for a radio signal sent from Earth to reach Mars? Give your answer in minutes. #### c) Spacecraft Travel Time **Problem Statement:** The Perseverance rover landed on Mars in early 2021. During travel to Mars, the spacecraft carrying the rover cruised at a speed of nearly 25,000 miles per hour. At this speed, how long would it have taken for the spacecraft to travel 0.5 au? Give your answer in days. --- ### Possibly Useful Equations/Relations: - **Distance = Speed × Time = v * t** - **Circle Circumference = π × Diameter = π * D** - **Diameter = 2 x Radius = 2 * R** ### Units and Abbreviations: - **m:** meter (distance) - **cm:** centimeter (distance) - **km:** kilometer (distance) - **AU:** Astronomical Unit (distance) - **s:** second (time) - **yr:** year (time) ### Relevant Numbers: - **Speed of Light = \(3 \times 10^8\) m/s** - **1 lightyear = the distance light travels in one year = \(9.5 \times 10^{12}\) km** - **1 au = 150,000,000 km = \(1.5 \times 10^8\) km** - **1 inch = 2.54 cm** - **1 m = 100 cm** - **1 m = 0.001 km** - **1 mile = 1.6 km** - **1 mile = 5280 feet** - **1 foot = 12 inches**
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