Chapter 1

Derive the relationship between a planet's synodic period and its sidereal period (Eq. Consider both inferior and superior planets. $$1 / S=\left\\{\begin{array}{ll} 1 / P-1 / P_{\oplus} & \text { (inferior) } \\ 1 / P_{\oplus}-1 / P & \text { (superior) } \end{array}\right.$$

Devise methods to determine the relative distances of each of the planets from the Sun given the information available to Copernicus (observable angles between the planets and the Sun, orbital configurations, and synodic periods.

List the right ascension and declination of the Sun when it is located at the vernal equinox, the summer solstice, the autumnal equinox, and the winter solstice.

(a) Determine the Julian date for 16: 15 UT on July 14,2006 . (Hint: Be sure to include any leap years in your calculation.) (b) What is the corresponding modified Julian date?

Which values of right ascension would be best for viewing by an observer at a latitude of \(40^{\circ}\) in January?