20200316

Astronomy midterm question: Venus setting while Jupiter rising at night?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, spring semester 2020
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

The following excerpt describes a night where Venus is setting while Jupiter is rising[*]:
Let me try to recall what has happened, the amusing and strange, and sad and terrible scenes witnessed in these last few days. On my first night at sea, I watched Venus slowly sinking into the sea, and Jupiter rising...
Discuss a plausible time (around sunset, midnight, or sunrise) that these two planets would be observed in San Luis Obispo, CA, and how you know this. Support your answer using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, Venus, Jupiter, Earth, and an observer on Earth.

[*] J.C., "Wrecked--A Week on Sable Island," The Canadian Methodist Magazine, vol. XV (January-June 1882), p. 73.

Solution and grading rubric:
  • p:
    Complete diagram and reasoning where observer on Earth must be at sunset to watch Venus (in an inner orbit) setting while Jupiter (in an inner orbit) rises in the east.
  • r:
    Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Typically diagram and/or supporting argument is contradictory or incomplete.
  • t:
    Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Still has Venus in an inner orbit and Jupiter in an outer orbit around the sun.
  • v:
    Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Some attempt at diagram(s), but no clear indication of observer/horizon on Earth and/or placement of inner planets. Typically misplaces Venus and Jupiter in their relative inner/outer orbits around the sun, or has Venus and Jupiter orbiting Earth.
  • x:
    Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit.
  • y:
    Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
  • z:
    Blank.
Grading distribution:
Section 30674
Exam code: midterm01n7in
p: 14 students
r: 1 student
t: 6 students
v: 7 students
x: 1 student
y: 0 students
z: 1 student

Section 30676
Exam code: midterm01S7wY
p: 24 students
r: 0 students
t: 13 students
v: 6 students
x: 2 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 2000):

Another sample "p" response (from student 2020):

One more sample "p" response (from student 5171):

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