Astronomy Mission Instructions Computer Class

Transcription

1 Astronomy Mission Instructions Computer Class You are being sent on an astronomy mission. You will be traveling through the solar system with three of your fellow astronauts (classmates) and a telescope to examine local space. How much fuel will you need to get to each of the planets? What data will you need to calculate the amount of fuel you will need? These are questions you must answer before you begin. Our astronomers have collected various physical, orbital, and miscellaneous data about the planets in our solar system. You will collaborate with them and become familiar with the data on the planets. Once you have collected this data our astronomers you will need to enter this data into a spreadsheet program. Once the data is entered you will create formulas to perform certain calculations in order to determine what planets you can reach and return using certain amounts of rocket fuel. This data will then be shared with our astronomers in the form of charts and graphs. When you return your mission you will reflect and report on what you have learned. Also, you will need to create a presentation on the planets in the solar system that will be used to train future astronauts.

2 2 Activities: Group up into groups of four to form a mission team. Decide who will be the Pilot, the Navigator, the Astronomer, and the Mission Specialist. Pick a name for your mission team and notify Mission Command (instructor) of the team name and names of each of the four astronauts in the team and their title. Data Collection Collaborate with our Astronomers (Science class students) to obtain the following data on the planets in our solar system: Name of each planet Distance Sun of each planet in kilometers Order of each planet Sun Diameter of each planet in kilometers # relative to size of each planet Rotation of each planet in days Revolution of each planet in days Surface temperature of each planet in Kelvin Mass of each planet in kilograms Density of each planet Escape Velocity of each planet in kilometers per second Number of moon and/or satellites of each planet Gravity of each planet in grams Atmospheric composition for each planet Our Solar System Calculations spreadsheet After receiving the data, enter the data into a spreadsheet program using the Our Solar System Calculations spreadsheet handout as an example (see last page). Once the spreadsheet program has been created perform the following: Add a Distance Sun (mi) column to the right of the Distance Sun (km) column and set up a formula to calculate the distance in miles. Add a Diameter (mi) column to the right of the Diameter (km) column and set up a formula to calculate the diameter in miles. Add a Surface Temperature (F) to the right of the Surface Temperature (K) column and set up a formula to calculate the surface temperature in Fahrenheit. Sort the information by the Order Sun column. Graph the density for each planet. Graph the mass for each planet. Submit your Our Solar System Calculations spreadsheet, formulas, and charts to Mission Command.

3 3 Astronomy Mission Calculations spreadsheet Use the Astronomy Mission Calculations spreadsheet handout as an example(see last page) to set up an Astronomy Mission Calculations spreadsheet to be used to calculate which planets you can reach and return using specified amounts of fuel. Once the spreadsheet is set up, perform the following: Set up a formula to calculate each team member s actual weight in pounds for each planet. Set up a formula to calculate the weight in pounds of the telescope for each planet. Set up a formula to get the total weight in pounds of the mission team and the telescope. Calculate the distance of each planet Earth. Set up a formula to calculate the amount of fuel needed to reach and return each planet. Set up a formula to calculate the amount of fuel needed to land and take off each planet based on the combined weight of the team members and the telescope. Set up a formula to calculate the total amount of fuel needed to complete a mission to each planet. Set up a formula to calculate the amount of fuel remaining based on amount of fuel available and the total amount of fuel needed. Graph the total amount of fuel needed amounts. Your birthday is actually a celebration of a trip made by Earth around the Sun one time. For each trip around our star we "age" one year, or at least that is how we humans express it. Add appropriate column(s) to calculate how "old" each of you are on the other eight planets in our solar system? Submit your Astronomy Mission Calculations spreadsheet and formulas to Mission Command. Astronomy Mission Activity Complete the questions on the Astronomy Mission Activity document and submit it to Mission Command. Astronomy Mission Report Individually, reflect upon what you have done and learned while completing your astronomy mission and write up a report. The report should also include what problems you had to solve and what decisions you had to make. Include a table in your reports. Collaborate with an English teacher to proof your reports. Make the appropriate corrections prior to submitting your report to Mission Command.

4 4 Astronomy Mission Presentation Your mission team will create a Mission Presentation about the planets in our solar system and submit it to Mission Command to be used in training future astronauts. Mission Command is extremely proud of each and every one of you for the successful completion of your mission. Congratulations!!!! A reception in your honor will be tomorrow at 1900 hours at Mission Control s Dining Complex. I ll see everyone there.

5 Our Solar System Calculations Physical, Orbital, Historical, and Miscellaneous Data Name of Planet Distance Sun (km) Order Sun Diameter (km) Rank by Size Rotation (days) Surface Revolution Temperature (days) (K) Mass (kg) Density (g/cm 3 ) Escape Velocity (km/s) # of Moons or Satellites Gravity (g) Atmospheric Composition Earth 149,600,000 3rd 12, th E N 2,O 2,Ar Astronomy Mission Calculations PLANETRY WEIGHTS OF AMOUNT OF FUEL: 32,000 lbs. FOUR ASTRONAUTS Total Fuel Mission Needed Fuel Needed Pilot Navigator Astronomer Specialist to to Land & Distance Reach & Escape Total Fuel Return Escape Planets Total Fuel PLANETS John Clark Albert Sally Telescope Weight Required Earth From Velocity Atmosphere Fuel Remaining (lbs) per Mile (mi) Planet Needed Earth