The Sun
Characters:
Theme: The Sphere
Competencies
Mathematical competence in science, technology and engineering
Personal, social and learning to learn competence
Competence in cultural awareness and expressions
Subjects and year by Educational System
Spain > Mathematics > 3rd ESO > Spatial sense
Spain > Mathematics > 3rd ESO > Socio-affective sense
Enunciation
Nicole Lepaute (1723-1788) was a French astronomer considered one of the "best astronomical computers" of the time. In 1758, she made predictions about the return of Halley's Comet and determined how the gravity of the planets can affect the path of a comet. In 1762, she calculated the exact time of a solar eclipse that would occur in 1764 by making a map of the extent of the eclipse throughout Europe, with intervals of 15 minutes.
In this context, let us now consider the following astronomical problem:
If we consider the Sun as a sphere of diameter approximately 1.4 . 106 km and the Earth as another sphere of diameter approximately 12,742 km, calculate:
a) The volume and surface area of the two celestial bodies.
b) Compare the obtained results.
Observations and context
- This activity can be used in mathematics, as part of the geometry topic, or as a complementary activity in the classroom to include scientific notation.
- She comes from a long line of female astronomers: Enheduanna (c.-2285) considered the first female astronomer in history, Hypatia (c.370-c.416), Sophia Brahe (1556-1643), Maria Cunitz (1610-1664), Maria Winkelmann Kirsch (1670-1720). She was a contemporary of figures such as Margaretha Kirch (1703-1744), Caroline Herschel (1750-1848) and Emilie du Châtelet (1706-1749).
- Predecessor of great astronomers and scientists such as Amelie Harlay de Lalande (1768-1832), Mary Fairfax Greig Somerville (1780-1872), Maria Mitchell (1818-1889), Mary Adela Blagg (1858-1944) or Jocelyn Bell Burnell. (1943-).
- She worked alongside mathematician Jerome Lalande, who emphasized the work of women astronomers throughout history.
Description
In this activity we will work on the volume and area of a sphere to calculate those of the Earth and the Sun in an approximate way, as part of Lepaute's work in calculating the trajectory of Halley's Comet.