Calculating Angle and Frequency of Mars-Sun Opposition

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the angle swept by Mars in relation to the Sun during one Earth year and determining the frequency of Mars being in opposition to the Sun from Earth's perspective. The subject area includes orbital mechanics and celestial geometry.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between Earth and Mars years, questioning how to express the proportion of a Mars year in terms of an Earth year. There are attempts to set up equations to find the angle swept by Mars.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on setting up equations to relate the two orbital periods, while others are clarifying the approach to calculating the angles involved. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants note a lack of relevant equations and material coverage in class, which may affect their ability to approach the problem confidently.

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Mars orbits the sun at a mean orbital radius of 228e9 m and has an orbital period of 687 d. Earth orbits the sun at a mean orbital radius of 149.6e9 m.
a)The earth-sun line sweeps out an angle of 360 degrees during one earth-year. Approximately what angle is swept out by the Mars-sun line during one Earth-year?
b) How frequently are Mars and the sun in opposition (on diametrically opposite sides of Earth)?


I do not know any relavant equations or even how to begin this problem we were given this homework as we walked out of the room without covering all of the necessary material.
Any help would be greatly appretiated. Thank you.
 
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A, is simply asking what proportion of a Mars year is one Earth year.
 
mgb_phys said:
A, is simply asking what proportion of a Mars year is one Earth year.

so is it as simple as...

365.24d/360=687/x

then solve for x?
 
Almost, 365.24/687 = x/360
A Mars year is about twice an Earth year, so you should get an answer of about half a full circle
 
just wanted to say thanks
 

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