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Exploring the Solar System: From Geocentric to Heliocentric Models

This presentation delves into the evolution of astronomical models, emphasizing the transition from the geocentric (Earth-centered) model, proposed by Ptolemy, to the heliocentric (Sun-centered) system introduced by Copernicus. We explore key figures such as Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler, and Galileo Galilei, and their contributions to our understanding of planetary motion and celestial physics. Through Kepler's laws and the application of the scientific method, we highlight how observations transformed our view of the solar system and the cosmos, illuminating the grandeur of creation as reflected in Psalm 19:1.

uriel-whitfield
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Exploring the Solar System: From Geocentric to Heliocentric Models

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Physical Science Solar System Slides subject to change

  2. Psalm 19 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

  3. Geocentric Model • Ptolemyca 140 A.D. • Egyptian astronomer. • Geocentric system (Earth-centered). • Stars and planets are embedded in rotating spheres, with Earth at the center. • Spheres made of an aetherial transparent fifth element (quintessence). • Like jewels set in orbs. Medieval chemistry – four elements earth, air, fire, and water.

  4. Geocentric Conclusions • Earth surrounded by “rotating” spheres. • Outer sphere beyond the stars is unmoving—where God dwells.

  5. Some Biblical Arguments • Psalm 93:1 “... The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.” • Psalm 104:5 “He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. • Why don’t these work?

  6. Heliocentric Model • Nicolaus Copernicus, Polish astronomer. • Proposes heliocentric system, • Orbits of planets are perfect circles, with the Sun at the center. • Fears criticism, and sees first printed edition of his work as he dies in 1543.

  7. Heliocentric − “Sun” in the Center

  8. Scientific Method • Observe some aspect of the universe. • Invent a tentative description, called a hypothesis, consistent with what you have observed. • Use the hypothesis to make predictions. • Test those predictions and modify the hypothesis in the light of your results. • Repeat steps 3 and 4 until there are no discrepancies between theory and experiment and/or observation.

  9. Need Accurate Data • Tycho Brahe1546 – 1601 • Significant work about1600 A.D. • Danish nobleman. • Most accurate astronomical measurements of his time. • No telescope. • Unusual geocentric model, “the Earth is just too sluggish to be continually in motion.”

  10. Need Accurate Data • Johannes Kepler1571 – 1630 • Significant work 1605 A.D. • German mathematician, assists Tycho Brahe. • Believes heliocentric solar system, and tries to convince Tycho. • Finds the orbits are mathematical ellipses. • Three laws of planetary motion.

  11. Kepler’s Orbit Model

  12. Other Figures • Galileo Galilei 1564 – 1642 • Significant work 1632 A.D. • Italian physicist. • Observed sky with telescope. • Moon has craters, Jupiter has moons, Venus has phases. • Champions Copernicus. • He’s in Big trouble with Pope.

  13. Other Figures • Isaac Newton1642 – 1727 • Significant work 1667 A.D. • English mathematician, physicist. • Degree from Cambridge in 1665, university closes due to Plague, he goes home. • Proposes celestial and terrestrial physics are related (apple incident). • Law of gravity, attraction between masses.

  14. Kepler’ Three Laws • All planets move in elliptical orbits around the Sun, with the Sun at one focus of the ellipse. • An imaginary line joining a planet to the Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal time. Animation: Beige areas have equal areas. http://www.astrobio.nau.edu/~koerner/ast180/lectures/pic/cdrom/animations/movie-02-04.swf • (period)2 = k (semi-major axis)3

  15. Example of Kepler’s 3rd Law • Let T = period, and R = semi-major axis • = k • For Mars, find orbital period T : • k = = • T2 = (1)2 x = 3.51 • T = sqrt (3.51) =1.87 “Earth” years Earth Mars

  16. Rochester, NY Lima, Peru Measuring Distances Using Parallax Mars Parallax from different locations Trigonometry Images from Michael Richmond, RIT

  17. Pluto’s too tiny. Nine Planets • Mercury • Venus • Earth • Mars • Jupiter • Saturn • Uranus • Neptune • Pluto

  18. Mercury Venus Earth Mars Inner Planets Size to Scale

  19. #3 Earth • Diameter: 7,900 mi or 12,740 km. • Mass: 6.0x1024 kg • Density: 5.52 g/cm3. • Acceleration due to gravity: 1 g or 9.8 m/s2 or 32 ft/s2. • Temp: -88°C→ 58°C • Orbital radius (mean) 93x106 miles, 150x106 km, or 1 AU • Earth Year: 365.25 days • Earth Day: 24 hours

  20. Moon • Diameter: 0.27 Earths (~1/4 Earth diameter) • Mass: 1.2% Earth • Density: 3.35 g/cm3 • Gravity: 0.16 g (~1/6 Earth gravity) • Orbital radius (mean) 384,000 km • Lunar Earth Orbit: 27.3 days • Lunar Day: 27.3 days (same side always faces Earth)

  21. Earth’s Atmosphere

  22. Precession: 26,000 y period. Axial Tilt 23.5° .

  23. Ecliptic • Earth reaches its closest distance to Sun in January. • The Earth travels to its farthest point from the Sun in July.

  24. Other Planets

  25. Relative Sizes • Compare the Sun to the size of a 26-inch diameter exercise ball: • Earth ¼ inch in diameter (pea-size), about 230 feet away (in the student parking lot). • Pluto about 2 miles away (at Irwindale Costco). see demo

  26. #1 Mercury Closest to Sun, hot • Diameter: 0.383 Earths • Mass: 8.5% Earth • Density: 5.43 g/cm3 • Gravity: 0.38 g • Equator Temp: –170 → 430 °C (hot enough to melt lead) • Orbital radius (mean) 0.387 AU • Mercurian Year: 88 days • Mercurian Day: 58 days

  27. #2 Venus Enshrouded in clouds • Diameter: 0.950 Earths • Mass: 0.815 Earth • Density: 5.20 g/cm3 • Gravity: 0.90 g • Mean Temp: 460 °C (also hot enough to melt lead), evenly distributed. • Orbital radius (mean) 0.723 AU • Venusian Year: 225 days • Venusian Day: 243 days (slow) Atmosphere: Carbon dioxide, some sulfuric acid

  28. Moon Venus 9/9/13

  29. #4 Mars Red planet • Diameter: 0.533 Earths • Mass: 0.107 Earth • Density: 3.93 g/cm3 • Gravity: 0.38 g • Temp: –107 °C→ –17 °C CO2 freezes into dry ice. • Orbital radius (mean) 1.52 AU • Martian Year: 687 days • Martian Day: 24.6 hours Atmosphere: 95% Carbon dioxide, 2.7% N2 Surface, Mars Viking

  30. Mars Exploration • Mars Science Laboratory • Nicknamed “Curiosity” • Launched November 26, 2011 • Successfully landed in Gale Crater on August 6, 2012. • Mars Springtime in 2020

  31. Outer “Jovian” Planets

  32. #5 Jupiter Gas giant • Diameter: 10.8 Earths • Mass: 318 Earths • Density: 1.33 g/cm3 • Gravity: 2.53 g • Temp: Cloud top –145 °C, hot interior • Orbital radius (mean) 5.20 AU • Jovian Year: 11.9 Earth Years • Jovian Day: 9.9 hours Mostly hydrogen and helium

  33. Galilean Moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

  34. Jupiter, Io, and Shadow, Cassini

  35. #6 Saturn Stunning rings • Diameter: 9.0 Earths • Mass: 95 Earths • Density: 0.69 g/cm3(less than water) • Gravity: 0.91 g • Temp: Cloud top –150 °C, hot interior • Orbital radius (mean) 9.58 AU • Saturnian Year: 29.7 Earth Years • Saturnian Day: 10.6 hours Saturn, from Voyager Mostly hydrogen, helium, some sulfur Saturn Rings, from Cassini

  36. Saturn, from Hubble Space Telescope

  37. Mostly hydrogen, helium, some methane #7 Uranus Blue-green and tilted • Discovered 1781, first planet discovered with a telescope. • Diameter: 4.0 Earths • Mass: 14.5 Earths • Density: 1.27 g/cm3 • Gravity: 0.89 g • Temp: Cloud top –220 °C, cold interior • Orbital radius (mean) 19.2 AU • Uranian Year: 84.3 Earth Years • Uranian Day: 17.2 hours Uranus, from Hubble Uranus, from Voyager 2

  38. Uranus • Spins on axis tilted 98° from perpendicular.

  39. #8 Neptune Blue planet • Discovered 1846, influences Uranus orbit. • Diameter: 3.8 Earths • Mass: 17 Earths • Density: 1.64 g/cm3 • Gravity: 0.91 g • Temp: Cloud top –200 °C, hot interior • Orbital radius (mean) 30.1 AU • Neptunian Year: 165 Earth Years • Neptunian Day: 16.1 hours Mostly hydrogen, helium, some methane

  40. Virtually no atmosphere Pluto (now, a Dwarf Planet) • Discovered 1930, due to suspected influence on orbits of Uranus and Neptune, by Clyde Tombaugh, Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, AZ. • Diameter: 0.2 Earths (smaller than the Moon) • Mass: 0.0021 Earths • Density: 2.0 g/cm3, rock and ice. • Gravity: 0.06 g • Temp: –230 °C Artist Concept • Orbital radius (mean) 39.5 AU. • Plutonian Year: 248 Earth Years. • Plutonian Day: 9.4 hours.

  41. Pluto Images Motion observed by Clyde Tombaugh

  42. New Horizons Spacecraft • Velocity approximately 16,000 mi/hr (4.4 mi/s). Launched January 2006. • Encounter July 2015. Location Today. • As it approaches Pluto, will take about 9 hours for round trip radio communications—Earth to Pluto/New Horizons.

  43. Sun Charon

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