Classroom Activity To Calculate Mars Closest Approach To Earth
TalkTeaching astronomy as its own subject in secondary schools
4th Shaw-IAU Workshop
Wednesday Nov. 16, 2022
UTC: 12:55 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Wednesday Nov. 16, 2022
UTC: 10:25 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Lim Hosung
I introduce a classroom activity on the subject of “Mars closest approach to Earth”, designed for high school students. Earth and Mars are placed in opposition for every two years and two months. When Mars is in opposition, the distance between Earth and Mars varies due to the characteristics of elliptical orbit of the two planets. On August 27, 2003, the distance between Earth and Mars was about 55.5 million kilometers, which made the date as one of the closest approach of Mars. With Mars’ orbital period set to 1.8808 times that of Earth, it is possible to predict the next occasion of the closest approach based on the mathematical concept of continued fractions. The activity is is designed to invoke both scientific and mathematical interest to students.
About Lim Hosung
I teach geoscience at Gimhae Imho High School, Korea. I completed my master's degree in astronomy at Kyungpook National University.
Watch a recording of this talk (external link)
