Sun-Earth Day Presents: Ancient Observatories, Timeless Knowledge
ACTIVITY III
ACTIVITY III:
Track the movement of the planet Venus around the Sun.
The planet Venus is the brightest celestial object in the sky except for the sun and moon. For this reason, its movement through the heavens was of extreme interest to many ancient civilizations. Over 1000 years ago, the Mayans of Mesoamerica built temples to honor Venus and knew of its 584 day synodic orbital period with the earth. By making careful angular measurements, you can derive Venus' synodic period and predict its time and angle of greatest elongation.
Recommended Links
Timeless Knowledge Links
General Sun-Earth Links
- Astronomy With A Stick
- Astronomy of Ancient India
- Astronomy Without a Telescope
- Telling Time
- History of Astronomy: Topics: Calendars, Time and Chronology
- History of Astronomy: Topics: Archaeoastronomy, Ancient Astronomy and Ethnoastronomy
- Ancient Astronomy: The World
- Ancient Astronomy
- After School Astronomy Clubs
