Astro 11
Lab 5

• In Lab 5, you will learn about the factors governing how one smaller object orbits another larger object, such as the planets orbiting the sun, or moons orbiting a planet. You will be able to calculate the mass of the planet, Jupiter, by simulating measurements of the size and period of the oribits of its moons.


• Make sure to answer question a, on page 44. It is separated from the other questions and easy to miss.


• Read all of the instructions on pages 44-48 on the computer program that you will use for this lab. Every question you will ask your TA about this program is answered in these pages.


• When you are recording the data on Jupiter's moons, make sure you record it both in the program and on page 51 at the same time. If you forget to record the data in the computer program, you cannot go back. You will have to restart the program and start from the beginning.
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• Pay attention to whether a moon is located to the East or West of Jupiter. If you enter the wrong direction in the program, your data will not fit the curve well.


• For question g, remember to have your numbers in the correct units. Refer back to part d to remember what units the numbers should be in.


• For the summary, remember that calculating the mass of Jupiter is what you did, not what you learned. What were the concepts that allowed you to make that calculation? This lab should have also taught you a little about the limits and problems of observation. Why were some of the planets harder to observe than others? How did that affect your calculations?