The planets of the Solar System can be divided into two major classes, terrestrial and Jovian planets, but each planet has their own interesting characteristics. With the Stellarium planetarium software, you can get a close up view of the planets and see their features for yourself.
In this part of the project, use a computer simulation to examine the physical characteristics of planets of the Solar System. Please read through the assignment background information and follow the steps listed in the lab assignment instructions. You will be asked to form a hypothesis, state the lab objective, record your measurements and calculations, and answer each of the lab questions.
Click here to download the instruction document for this piece of the project. Follow the instructions contained within and submit your results as this project deliverable.
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Module 03 – Physical Characteristics of Planets
The planets of the Solar System can be divided into two major classes, terrestrial and Jovian planets, but
each planet has their own interesting characteristics. With the Stellarium planetarium software, you can
get a close up view of the planets and see their features for yourself.
Background Question – Describe three characteristics of a planet that you think you could measure from
visual observations.
Object: Explain the purpose of this laboratory assignment in your own words. What do you think you will
accomplish or learn from this exercise?
Hypothesis: Write a simple hypothesis connected to planetary features that you will be able to test using
the Stellarium software (for example, Jovian planets have faster rotation period than terrestrial planets)
Procedure:
1) Open the Stellarium software. Open the location window (F6) and change the planet to the Sun.
This will change our observing location to the center of our Solar System.
2) Open the Sky and Viewing options window (F4). Under the “Sky” tab, uncheck the Atmosphere,
Stars, and Dynamic eye adaption. Check “Show planet markers” and “Show planet orbits”.
3) Select the Landscape tab and uncheck “Show ground”.
4) Open the Search window (F3) and enter in Mercury. The view should shift such that the Mercury
is in the center of the screen. As long as Mercury is actively select, it will remain in your field of
view as you advance time.
5) In the table below, make note of the visible features of Mercury. This can include over color,
surface features such as craters or ice caps, presence of an atmosphere and cloud structure, and
any visible moons orbiting the planet. You can also advance time and try to observe in the planet
has a faster or slow rotation.
6) Repeat your observer with each of the eight planets. You can use the Search window (F3) to shift
your view to each planet.
Planet Color Atmosphere (yes/no) Surface Features Rotation Speed Any
Moons Q1 In your opinion, which planet had the most distinct appearance?
Q2: Which group of planets (terrestrial or Jovian) appear to have the most moons?
Q3: Which group of planets (terrestrial or Jovian) appear to have the fastest rotation? Q4: Did you have any problem observing the rotation of any planet? If so, why do you think this
was the case? 7) 8) We can use the small angle formula to find the physical diameter of a planet. Select one planet
and record its angular size in arcseconds and distance from the observer (Distance displayed in
units of millions of km). The physical size of an astronomical object is equal to the angular size
times the object’s distance divided by 206, 265 ( similar formula can be found in the textbook on
page 29). arcsec
physical diameter [km]=(angular ¿[¿])(distance [ km ] )/206265
radius[km]= physical diameter [ km ] /2
Q5: Compare your calculation with the planet radius information in the textbook (Chapter 6 or
Appendix E). Is your calculated radius close to the known value? 9) Continue using Stellarium to test your individual hypothesis. If you need further direction, please
ask your instructor.
Conclusion: In 1-2 paragraphs, explain if your observations and data support or conflict with your
hypothesis and if you have met your assignment objective. Was there any portion of the assignment that
was particularly interesting or difficult?
