GALILEO AND THE PHASES OF VENUS EAAE（伽利略和金星EAAE的阶段）.pdf

GALILEO AND THE PHASES OF VENUS Charles-Henri Eyraud Institut National de Recherche Pédagogique (France) Abstract In this article we use Galileo’s letters and drawings to understand his observations of the phases of Venus in 1610-1611. Our article is presented as an exercise for students to understand the conclusions of the great astronomer. PERIODS OF VENUS • Synodical period and phases The synodic period is the time that it takes for the object to reappear at the same point in the sky, relative to the Sun, as observed from Earth; i.e. returns to the same elongation and planetary phase. This is the time that elapses between two successive conjunctions with the Sun. An inferior conjunction occurs when Venus and the Earth lie in a line on the same side of the Sun. When Venus is on the opposite side of the Sun, it is a superior conjunction. The synodic period of Venus is 584 days. The superior conjunction occured on 11th May 1610. Calculate the date of the quadrature, of the inferior conjunction and of the next superior conjunction, supposing the motions of the Earth and Venus are circular and uniform (Figure 2). In fact the next superior conjunction occured on 11th December 1611 and inferior conjunction on 26th February 1611. • Sidereal period The sidereal period is the time that it takes the object to make one full orbit around the Sun, relative to the stars. The sidereal period of the Earth is 365.25 days. Calculate the sidereal period of Venus. PHASES OF VENUS IN GEO AND HELIOCENTRIC MODELS • Phases 1) Determine the phases of Venus in geocentric models, where the Earth is at the center of the universe and planets orbit around (Mercury and Venus “above” or “below” the Sun). Plato’s model : Earth (center)-Moon-Sun-Mercury-Venus-Mars-Jupiter-Saturne.