Use the Starry Night Enthusiast \({ }^{\mathrm{TM}}\) program to examine Comet Halley as it would have been seen during its last visit to the Sun and the inner solar system. Display the entire celestial sphere as seen from the center of a transparent Earth by clicking on Guides \(>\) Atlas in the Favourites pane. Stop time flow and set the date to February 28, 1986, and the time to midnight, 12:00:00 A.M. Center on Halley's Comet by using Edit > Find and entering the name Halley in the Search box. Set the Time Flow Rate to 6 hours. From this view at the Earth's center with daylight turned off, you will note that the Sun is to the left of the view, on the ecliptic plane, as expected. (a) Based on the direction of the comet's tail, can you tell in which direction the comet is moving at this instant in time? Step time forward by a few steps to check your prediction. (b) Did Halley's Comet move in the direction that you predicted in (a) above? Run time backward to about January 7,1986 , and then run time forward and backward again several times to observe Halley's comet and particularly the direction of its tail during this encounter with the Sun. (c) In what direction does the tail of the comet point? Explain why.

Step by step solution

01

Setup simulation

Launch Starry Night Enthusiast and set the view to the celestial sphere from the center of a transparent Earth. Stop time flow and set the date and time to February 28, 1986, at midnight. Center on Halley's Comet using the search box in the Edit > Find option.

02

Direction Prediction

Observing the direction of the comet's tail, make a prediction about the direction in which the comet is moving. Remember, comets' tails always point away from the Sun due to the solar wind, regardless of the direction the comet is actually moving.

03

Verify Prediction

Now, to verify the prediction, set the Time Flow Rate to 6 hours and step forward in time to see if the comet actually moves in the predicted direction.

04

Further Observations

Next, set the time back to about January 7, 1986, run time forward and backward several times to observe the comet's behavior, particularly its tail's direction.

05

Interpretation and Conclusion

Finally, explain why the tail of the comet points in the direction it does. The tail of a comet always points away from the Sun due to the solar wind, regardless of the actual direction of the comet's movement.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Halley's Comet Observation

Observing Halley's Comet is a thrilling experience for astronomers, both amateur and professional. To recreate the last apparition of Halley's Comet in our night sky, we use powerful tools like the Starry Night Enthusiast software. By setting the simulation's time to the specific historical date of February 28, 1986, viewers can see Halley's Comet from a unique perspective, as if floating at the Earth's center.

When 'traveling' back in time with such simulations, it's possible to predict the comet's movement by looking at the direction of its tail. This practice ties into the larger picture of orbital mechanics and the interplay of gravitational forces within our solar system. By stepping time forward in the simulation, just as in the original exercise, we validate the direction of the comet's movement based on the tail's orientation, giving us insight into this celestial object's dynamic journey through space.

In doing so, educators can enhance students' understanding by highlighting the importance of observational evidence in astronomy, the value of simulations in visualizing celestial events, and the role these play in piecing together the cometary puzzle.

Celestial Sphere Simulation

The celestial sphere simulation is an indispensable tool for both education and research in astronomy. It provides a visual representation of the stars, planets, and other celestial objects as seen from Earth. In the context of the original exercise, the Starry Night Enthusiast software allows for a detailed examination of the night sky by simulating different times and perspectives, including the observation of Halley's Comet.

Using a celestial sphere simulation can help students better understand the apparent motion of celestial bodies across the sky. It also illustrates important concepts like the ecliptic plane and the positions of objects in the celestial realm. For instance, viewers can see the Sun's position relative to Halley's Comet and note changes in the comet's position over time. Educators can utilize celestial sphere simulations to demonstrate diurnal motion, seasonal changes, and even to simulate historical astronomical events, making the learning experience much more engaging and interactive.

Comet Tail Solar Wind Interaction

The tail of a comet is one of its most striking features, clearly visible when observing comets like Halley. Yet, the tail's formation is rooted in the highly dynamic comet tail solar wind interaction. When a comet approaches the Sun, the increased heat causes ice and dust within the comet's nucleus to vaporize and release particles into space. This forms the comet's coma or atmosphere.

However, it is the solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the Sun, that shapes the comet's tail. The solar wind blows this material away from the comet's nucleus, creating the tail that we observe. As a result, the tail always points away from the Sun, regardless of the comet's actual movement through space.

Ion and Dust Tails

Comets can have two types of tails: ion tails, which are composed of gases and always point directly away from the Sun due to the force of the solar wind; and dust tails, which are affected by both solar wind and the momentum of the dust particles, often resulting in a curved path. These tails provide scientists with valuable information about the composition of comets and the properties of the solar wind, making them a significant topic of study in astronomy and celestial mechanics.