How Do I Solve These Complex Astronomy Problems?

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The discussion focuses on solving complex astronomy problems related to weight, frequency, orbital periods, communication delays, eccentricity, and Doppler shifts. Participants seek guidance on the appropriate formulas and methods for calculations, such as using gravitational principles for weight in space and Kepler's Third Law for orbital periods. There is a consensus that understanding the definitions of weight and mass, as well as the speed of light for communication, is crucial. The need for clear examples and explanations is emphasized, particularly for students struggling with these concepts. Overall, the thread highlights the importance of foundational knowledge in tackling astronomy problems effectively.
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Astronomy Problems HELP * URGENT*

i am struggling with the following problems for my astronomy class.

1.) calculate the weight of a 91.0 kg (approx. 200 pounds at the surface of the earth) astronaut when his spaceship is at a point 51200.0 km above the Earth's center. also calculate his mass at that point in space.
(i don't know what formulas to use or how to start this problem)

2.) If the wavelength of a particular type of light is 10,000 nm, what is the frequency? What would be the temperature of an object that had this wavelength as its peak intensity? What part of the spectrum is it in?
frequency = 3 X10^13 Hz
temp = 300 Kelvin
spectrum = infrared
( NOT SURE IF RIGHT)

3.) suppose a student discovers a new asteroid named starbright which has a semimajor axis 884,404,000 km from the sun. what would be its period of rotation around the sun?
( i got 2.352 X10^12 days) not even sure how. what formulas do i used to do this problem? can someone show me an example?

4.) if Mars were 2.352 AU away from the Earth during the Mars rover sojourner mission how long did it take for radio messages to be sent round trip to Mars to Earth to mars? why did the sojourner have to be able to navigate with minimal guidancew from earth?
(once again i have no idea, i need help identifying what forumlas to use, how to get started)

5.) if the moon's distance from the Earth varies from 492,065 km to 276,743 km, what would be the eccentricity of the moon's orbit?
(NO IDEA)

6.) what is the speed of an object that produces a dopple shift of 1.234 nm for a normal wavelength of 10,000.00 nm ( observed wavelength of 10,001.234)? is it moving towards ore away from the observer?
(no idea)

i need help identifying what formulas to use, and how to solve these problems, correctly.
 
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astronomystudent said:
1.) calculate the weight of a 91.0 kg (approx. 200 pounds at the surface of the earth) astronaut when his spaceship is at a point 51200.0 km above the Earth's center. also calculate his mass at that point in space.

What are the definitions of weight and mass? What are their units? It will help to know that:

g \propto \frac{1}{r^2}

where g is the acceleration due to Earth's gravity and r is the distance from its center.


2.) If the wavelength of a particular type of light is 10,000 nm, what is the frequency? What would be the temperature of an object that had this wavelength as its peak intensity? What part of the spectrum is it in?
frequency = 3 X10^13 Hz
temp = 300 Kelvin
spectrum = infrared

Looks right.


3.) suppose a student discovers a new asteroid named starbright which has a semimajor axis 884,404,000 km from the sun. what would be its period of rotation around the sun?
( i got 2.352 X10^12 days) not even sure how.

Wow, that's a really long period (about the age of the universe). You might want to try Kepler's Third Law (that should be in your book, notes, or a google search).


4.) if Mars were 2.352 AU away from the Earth during the Mars rover sojourner mission how long did it take for radio messages to be sent round trip to Mars to Earth to mars? why did the sojourner have to be able to navigate with minimal guidancew from earth?

How are radio messages sent? At what speed do they travel?


5.) if the moon's distance from the Earth varies from 492,065 km to 276,743 km, what would be the eccentricity of the moon's orbit?
(NO IDEA)

Take a look at http://qonos.princeton.edu/nbond/ellipse1.gif diagram.


6.) what is the speed of an object that produces a dopple shift of 1.234 nm for a normal wavelength of 10,000.00 nm ( observed wavelength of 10,001.234)? is it moving towards ore away from the observer?
(no idea)

Look here
 
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