Moon Waves 0.2
This wavelike pattern of motion is due to the fact that
0.1
Callisto is revolving around the planet Jupiter The
wavelength of this graph, about 17 days, represents the
time it takes for Callisto to complete one orbit around
-OT
Jupiter (In most wave diagrams wavelength is a measure
of distance. Notice that in this case wavelength is a
-0.2
measure of time)
6
The amplitude of the wave diagram can be used to
Jan
Mar
determine the diameter of Callisto's orbit around Jupiter
Date
The amplitude of the motion is about 0 2 degree. Each degree corresponds to about 10 000,000 km
So the diameter of Callisto's orbit is about 4,000 000 km (02*2* 10,000 000)
East West Position
(degrees)
M
25 30
4
9
14 19 24
03
02
0
1. Imagine that you have discovered a
new moon of Jupiter You observe the
moon's position in the sky over a period
of several nights You use your data to
make the graph at the right How long
does it take this moon to revolve around
Jupiter?
2. What is the amplitude of this moon's
motion? What is the diameter of its orbi
around Jupiter? (Hint Remember that
each degree equals 10 000 000 km)
3. Predict the motion of this moon over the
bext few nights Continue the line of the
graph to show this motion
East West position
(degrees)
w
21
-0.2
-13
15 25
an
14 10 24
Ft
MS
Date