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Chapter 11: Problem 9

Why was it so difficult to determine the rate and direction of Venus's rotation? How were these finally determined? What is one proposed explanation for the slow, retrograde rotation of Venus?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The thick clouds of Venus made it difficult to determine its rotation. Through radio astronomy, it was found that Venus has a slow, retrograde rotation. This unusual rotation is hypothesized to have been caused by a violent event, such as a collision, which may have to flipped Venus upside down.

Step by step solution

01

Understand why it was difficult to determine Venus's rotation

Venus is completely enveloped by thick sulphuric acid clouds that prevent direct view of its surface. Therefore, it was difficult to determine its rotation rate and direction.
02

Understand how Venus's rotation was finally determined

The rotation of Venus was finally determined using radio astronomy. The radar signals were sent to Venus and these signals were bounced back from its surface. From these signals, the rotation period and the rotation direction (retrograde) were concluded.
03

Proposed explanation for the slow, retrograde rotation of Venus

One proposed explanation for the slow, retrograde rotation of Venus is that it may have experienced a violent event such as a massive collision that caused it to flip upside down, hence the direction of rotation appears to be opposite to most other planets (retrograde).
04

Summing up the response

So, the determination of Venus's rotation was challenging due to its thick clouds preventing direct observation, finally determined through radio astronomy, and the unusual retrograde rotation might be due to a massive collision that flipped Venus upside-down.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Refer to the Universe Web site or eBook for a link to a Web site that calculates the dates of upcoming greatest elongations of Mercury. Consult such magazines as Sky or Telescope and Astronomy, or the Web sites for these magazines, to determine if any of these greatest elongations is going to be a favorable one. If so, make plans to be one of those rare individuals who has actually seen the innermost planet of the solar system. Set aside several evenings (or mornings) around the date of the favorable elongation to reduce the chances of being "clouded out." Select an observing site that has a clear, unobstructed view of the horizon where the Sun sets (or rises). If possible, make arrangements to have a telescope at your disposal. Search for the planet on the dates you have selected, and make a drawing of its appearance through your telescope.

Describe the evidence that there has been recent volcanic activity (a) on Venus and (b) on Mars.

Use the Starry Night Enthusiast \({ }^{\mathrm{TM}}\) program to compare the orbits of Venus and the Earth. Select Options > Viewing Location. .. from the menu. In the Viewing Location dialog box, set the View from to a position moving with the Sun and choose the option Above orbital plane. Then click the Set Location button to close the dialog. Click on and hold the Increase current elevation button in the Viewing Location section of the toolbar until the distance shown in the Viewing Location display pane is approximately \(\mathbf{1 . 5}\) au from the Sun. Open the Find pane and click both of the checkboxes on either side of the listing for the Earth and for Venus. This labels the two planets and draws their orbits in the view. Close the Find pane. Stop time flow and set the time and the date to 0:00:00 UT on August 19, 2007 AD. You can zoom in and zoom out on these two planets and their orbits using the buttons in the Zoom section of the toolbar. You can also rotate the solar system by holding down the Shift key and then holding down the mouse button and moving the mouse. (On a two-button mouse, hold down the left mouse button.) Are the orbits of Venus and of the Earth in the same plane? At the time shown in the image, is Venus nearest to inferior conjunction, superior conjunction, greatest eastern elongation, or greatest western elongation as seen from Earth? Explain your answers. Rotate your view to look down upon the orbits from above the pole of the Sun. Are the orbits of Earth and Venus circular?

This time-lapse photograph was taken on May 7, 2003, during a solar transit of Mercury. Over a period of 5 hours and 19 minutes, Mercury appeared to move across the face of the Sun. Such solar transits of Mercury occur 13 or 14 times each century; they do not happen each time that Mercury is at inferior conjunction. Explain why not. (Hint: For a solar transit to occur, the Sun, Mercury, and the Earth must be in a nearly perfect alignment. Does the orbit of Mercury lie in the plane of the ecliptic?)

You are to put a spacecraft into a synchronous circular orbit around the Martian equator, so that its orbital period is equal to the planet's rotation period. Such a spacecraft would always be over the same part of the Martian surface. (a) Find the radius of the orbit and the altitude of the spacecraft above the Martian surface. (b) Suppose Mars had a third moon that was in a synchronous orbit. Would tidal forces make this moon tend to move toward Mars, away from Mars, or neither? Explain.
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