final lab

Where is the Sun relative to Mars on April 14, 2012?

The Sun and Mars are not both visible at the same time.

With the Stellarium view still facing east, press the "plus" key on your keyboard (no Shift) to move forward in time by one solar day. Press the key repeatedly and watch how the Moon moves. Choose the option below that describes the motion of the Moon that you observe.

moon moves toward the east

A solar eclipse occurs only when the Moon is new.

true

Lunar eclipses are more commonly seen than solar eclipses.

true

What time is it when the Moon is fully visible (complete disc) on the eastern horizon?

5 mins after midnight

Which day listed below is the day on which the Moon will reach this point?

9/15/14

What is really happening in space during the periods when we see Mars going through apparent retrograde motion?

Earth is passing by Mars in its orbit around the Sun.

Advance the day from 4/14/2012 to 6/12/2012. (You can press and hold the up-arrow button, or select the day and then press and hold CTRL/Command-up arrow on a keyboard, for faster motion.) Which statement below best describes the motion you observe?

Mars moves west to east, relative to the stars.

Watch the motion of Mars as you move from 1/1/12 to 1/24/12. Which statement below best describes what you observe?

Relative to the stars, Mars appears to move west to east.

Continue to watch Mars move as you advance the day from 1/24/2012 to 4/14/2012. (You can press and hold the up-arrow button for day in the Date/time window, or select the day and then press and hold CTRL/Command-up arrow on a keyboard, for faster motion.) Which statement below best describes the motion you observe?

Relative to the stars, Mars moves east to west.

Advance the day from 4/1/2013 to 5/1/2013. Where is the Sun relative to Mars?

The Sun and Mars are close together in the same part of the sky.

At what time would this Moon rise on the eastern horizon?

about 10:40 am

Why does the motion of Mars appear to change direction when it is located on the opposite side of the sky from the Sun, relative to Earth?

because that is when Earth passes Mars in its orbit