The solar system and the universe
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Solar System Explorer
Step through the solar system, observing the length of a year and the orbital path of each object. The positions of the eight official … planets are displayed, as well as one dwarf planet, Pluto. Learn about Kepler's Laws, when planets will align, and why space probes are often launched at certain times.
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Orbital Motion - Kepler's Laws
Learn Kepler's three laws of planetary motion by examining the orbit of a planet around a star. The initial position, velocity, and mass … of the planet can be varied as well as the mass of the star.
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Rotation/Revolution of Venus and Earth
Observe the motion of people standing on Venus and the Earth as the planets move around the sun. With the rotation and revolution of … the planets (and the Earth's moon), the length of days and years on different planets can be measured, as well as the retrograde motion of Venus.
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Star Spectra
Analyze the spectra of a variety of stars. Determine the elements that are represented in each spectrum, and use this information to infer … the temperature and classification of the star. Look for unusual features such as redshifted stars, nebulae, and stars with large planets.
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H-R Diagram
A collection of stars visible from Earth can be arranged based on many observables including color, luminosity, temperature, name and … size. This can be done using one or two‑dimensional plots, and a plot of luminosity vs. temperature can be created in an effort to learn about the Hertzsprung‑Russell diagram.
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Beam to Moon (Ratios and Proportions)
Apply ratios and proportions to find the weight of a person on the moon (or on another planet). Weigh an object on Earth and on the moon … and weigh the person on Earth. Then set up and solve the proportion of the Earth weights to the moon weights.
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Gravitational Force
Drag two objects around and observe the gravitational force between them as the positions change. The mass of each object can be adjusted, … and the gravitational force is displayed both vectorially and numerically as the distance between the objects is altered.
