The comets
Characters:
Theme: Integer number
Competencies
Competence in Linguistic Communication
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 > 1st ESO > Number sense
Spain > Mathematics > 1st 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.
Halley's Comet is undoubtedly one of the best known, named in such way because the English astronomer Halley conjectured that the comets that had appeared in the years 1531, 1607 and 1682 were reappearances of the same and that, therefore, their orbit was completed approximately every 76 years.
1- If the comet appeared in 1759, on how many more occasions has it reappeared between then and today? When will the next appearance be?
2- According to the European Space Agency, the first observation of Halley took place in 239 BC. Indicate the 5 years in which the comet appeared after that date.
Observations and context
- This activity can be framed in mathematics, within the topic of integers, or as a complementary activity in the classroom.
- Today we know that the orbital period of Halley's Comet can range between 74 and 79 years.
- The list of years of observations of the comet is as follows, beginning with the year 239 BC, the first year in which it is known to have been observed: 239 BC, 164 BC, 86 BC, 11 BC, 66, 141, 218, 295, 374, 451, 530, 607, 684, 760, 837, 912, 989, 1066, 1145, 1222, 1301, 1378, 1456, 1531, 1607, 1682, 17359, 1910 and 1986. The next appearance is scheduled for the year 2061.
- 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 with the sum of integers to predict when Halley's comet will pass again.