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):

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, fall semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz04S3re


Section quiz04S3re

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 6.0]
8.5-16.0 :	***
16.5-24.0 :	******
24.5-32.0 :	******* [mean = 26.5 +/- 8.6]
32.5-40.0 :	************ [high = 36.5]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz04NDme


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	** [low = 6.0]
8.5-16.0 :	***
16.5-24.0 :	****** [mean = 23.5 +/- 8.7]
24.5-32.0 :	********
32.5-40.0 :	**** [high = 36.5]

Astronomy midterm question: 12 hours between Mercury setting and Venus rising?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, fall semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy question on an online discussion board was asked and answered[*]:

J.F.: Can an observer ever witness Mercury setting at the same time while Venus is rising?
rzfr: No, that is impossible. It will take about 12 hours between Mercury setting and Venus rising.

Discuss why it would take about 12 hours between Mercury setting and Venus rising for an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA, and how you know this. Support your answer using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and an observer on Earth.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090328072648AALZoVS.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Complete diagram and reasoning includes the following explanations for why there would be about 12 hours between Mercury setting and Venus rising:
  1. places observer on Earth at sunset to watch Mercury (in an inner orbit) setting in the west; and
  2. places observer on Earth at sunrise to watch Venus (in an inner orbit) rising in the east.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Typically diagram is correct, but supporting argument is contradictory or incomplete. May have placed Mercury to rise at sunrise and placed Venus to set at sunset.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Still has Mercury and Venus along inner orbits 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 Mercury and Venus in their relative outer/inner orbits around the sun.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 70158
Exam code: midterm01Sw3e
p: 20 students
r: 4 students
t: 5 students
v: 6 students
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 1 student

Section 70160
Exam code: midterm01N0dL
p: 6 students
r: 5 students
t: 5 students
v: 7 students
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 1234):

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, spring semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz04n3Ni


Section quiz04n3Ni

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	* [low = 9.0]
16.5-24.0 :	*********
24.5-32.0 :	************ [mean = 26.7 +/- 7.1]
32.5-40.0 :	******** [high = 40.0]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz04Si3n


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	***** [low = 9.5]
16.5-24.0 :	************
24.5-32.0 :	************** [mean = 25.1 +/- 8.4]
32.5-40.0 :	******** [high = 40.0]

Astronomy midterm question: Jupiter, not Venus low in the west at dawn

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, spring semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy question on an online discussion board was asked and answered[*]:

deanmajiet65: Just before dawn, I saw a planet in the sky in the west. Is it Jupiter or Venus?
Rich: It's not Venus. You were facing west, so that was Jupiter.

Discuss why this planet could not be Venus, and would have to be Jupiter for an observer 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.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090727104303AA5cFyR.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Complete diagram and reasoning includes the following explanations for how it is possible for an observer on Earth to be able to see Jupiter, but not Venus in the west at dawn:
  1. places observer on Earth at dawn (or some time after midnight but before sunrise), with east and west horizons clearly indicated; and
  2. is able to place Jupiter (in an outer orbit) such that it is visible above the west horizon for this observer, and also indicates how Venus (in an inner orbit) can only be seen in the east horizon if it is visible at all at dawn.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Typically diagram is correct, but supporting argument is contradictory or incomplete.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. May have an observer at sunset instead of sunrise, and/or switched east/west horizons; but still has Jupiter and Venus along outer and inner orbits around the sun, respectively.
• 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 how placement of outer and inner planets would (or would not) be visible at dawn in the west. Typically misplaces Jupiter and Venus in their relative outer/inner orbits around the sun.
• 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: midterm01NtwT
p: 17 students
r: 3 students
t: 10 students
v: 4 students
x: 0 students
y: 1 student
z: 0 students

Section 30676
Exam code: midterm01SFBk
p: 26 students
r: 2 students
t: 9 students
v: 3 students
x: 2 students
y: 1 student
z: 1 student

A sample "p" response (from student 7563):
A sample "v" response (from student 1735), with both Venus and Jupiter as inner planets, and with east and west horizons switched for an observer on Earth, just before dawn:

Presentation: solar system motions

Galileo's observations of moons orbiting Jupiter. This did not necessarily disprove that Earth is at the center of motion in the solar system, but it made it much more plausible that Earth could move (around the sun) and not leave the moon behind, if Jupiter could move and not leave its moons behind.

The phases that Venus undergoes, which was also observed by Galileo. Note that Venus appears completely black when silhouetted against the sun as it passes between Earth and the sun, and Venus gibbous phases when it is going around behind the sun. This was the ultimate proof that Earth was not the sole center of motion in the solar system if Venus and other planets exhibit phases as they orbit the sun.

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, fall semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz04S4pR


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :
16.5-24.0 :	****** [low = 18.5]
24.5-32.0 :	******************* [mean = 30.7 +/- 5.8]
32.5-40.0 :	***************** [high = 40.0]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz04N3rn


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	* [low = 12.0]
16.5-24.0 :	***
24.5-32.0 :	************* [mean = 30.4 +/- 6.8]
32.5-40.0 :	************ [high = 40.0]

Astronomy midterm question: Mars and Venus low in the west at sunrise?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, fall semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy question on an online discussion board was asked and answered[*]:

Q: Well, I observed a bright red dot that is Mars low in the west at sunrise. At the same time there was another bright white dot right next to Mars. What is it?
A: I think it's Venus.

Discuss how this answer is implausible for an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA, and how you know this. Support your answer using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, Mars, Venus, Earth, and an observer on Earth.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20140311092430AAKTg2Q.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Complete diagram and reasoning includes the following explanations for an observer on Earth at or around sunrise (6 AM):
  1. Mars can be placed in an orbit around the sun outside of Earth's orbit such that it is visible low over the observer's west horizon; and
  2. Venus, when placed anywhere in an orbit around the sun inside of Earth's orbit, can only be seen low over the east horizon at sunrise.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Has east/west horizons switched, such that Mars and/or Venus are setting at or around sunset.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Problems with either diagram or discussion. May have both Venus and Mars in an inner (or outer) orbit with east/west horizons switched, such that Venus and Mars are rising at or around sunrise (or sunset).
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Diagram and discussion problematic.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 70160
Exam code: midterm01nDm3
p: 14 students
r: 10 students
t: 9 students
v: 0 student
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 1352):
Another sample "p" response (from student 8954):

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, spring semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz04nqyL


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	****** [low = 12.0]
16.5-24.0 :	****** [mean = 23.6 +/- 7.7]
24.5-32.0 :	*******
32.5-40.0 :	**** [high = 36.5]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz04sl4M


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 7.0]
8.5-16.0 :	********
16.5-24.0 :	************** [mean = 22.9 +/- 7.8]
24.5-32.0 :	*********
32.5-40.0 :	******* [high = 36.5]

Astronomy midterm question: Mars in the east and Venus in the west at sunset?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, spring semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy question on an online discussion board was asked and answered[*]:

g12: How can I find Mars and Venus?
Chr: Right now [February 2012] Mars is low in the east at sunset, while at the same time that Venus is low in the west.

Discuss how this answer could be correct for an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA, and how you know this. Support your answer using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, Mars, Venus, Earth, and an observer on Earth.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120205171726AAsMiO0.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Complete diagram and reasoning includes the following explanations for an observer on Earth at sunset (6 PM):
  1. Mars can be placed in an orbit around the sun outside of Earth's orbit such that it is visible low over the observer's east horizon; and
  2. Venus can be placed in an orbit around the sun inside of Earth's orbit such that it is visible low over the observer's west horizon.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors.
• t:
  Problems with either diagram or discussion. May have:
  1. Mars in an inner orbit and/or Venus in an outer orbit; or
  2. observer not placed at sunset and/or east/west horizons switched.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Diagram and discussion problematic.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 30676
Exam code: midterm01sP4m
p: 25 students
r: 3 students
t: 14 students
v: 1 student
x: 1 student
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 0247):
Another sample "p" response (from student 2412):

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, fall semester 2016
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz04s5ie


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	*********
16.5-24.0 :	************** [mean = 20.6 +/- 6.6]
24.5-32.0 :	*******
32.5-40.0 :	** [high = 36.0]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz04n4uG


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	******
16.5-24.0 :	********** [mean = 21.3 +/- 6.4]
24.5-32.0 :	********** [high = 32.0]
32.5-40.0 :

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, spring semester 2016
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz04nG4N


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 4.0]
8.5-16.0 :	****
16.5-24.0 :	******* [mean = 21.6 +/- 7.7]
24.5-32.0 :	******
32.5-40.0 :	* [high = 36.5]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz04stP7


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	*** [low = 12.0]
16.5-24.0 :	*********************** [mean = 24.9 +/- 6.9]
24.5-32.0 :	************
32.5-40.0 :	*********** [high = 40.0]

Astronomy midterm question: Mercury rising while Venus is setting?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, spring semester 2016
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy question on an online discussion board[*] was asked and answered:

Pdg: At the same time you can see Venus setting, can you see Mercury rising?
DcM: Regardless of where they are in their orbits about the sun, while Venus can set in the west, it isn't possible to see Mercury rising in the east at the same time.

Discuss why this answer is correct for an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA, and how you know this. Support your answer using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and an observer on Earth.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20160114114820AAEJYPB.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Complete diagram and reasoning includes the following explanations:
  1. for an observer on Earth at sunset (6 PM), Venus appears to be setting in the west (or some other late afternoon/early evening time) when placed in an orbit inside Earth's orbit;
  2. this sunset observer cannot see Mercury rising in the east, as that would mean Mercury would have to be in an orbit outside of Earth's.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Problems with either diagram or discussion.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Diagram and discussion problematic.
• 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: midterm01n0rD
p: 6 students
r: 0 students
t: 4 students
v: 7 students
x: 4 students
y: 0 students
z: 1 student

Section 30676
Exam code: midterm01sN0w
p: 17 students
r: 15 students
t: 10 students
v: 8 students
x: 2 students
y: 1 student
z: 1 student

A sample "p" response (from student 2117):
A sample "p" response (from student 2919):

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, fall semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz04s7Rn


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	*** [low = 8.5]
16.5-24.0 :	***********
24.5-32.0 :	************* [mean = 26.8 +/- 8.0]
32.5-40.0 :	************* [high = 40.0]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz04nVL7


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	*****
16.5-24.0 :	********** [mean = 22.6 +/- 6.9]
24.5-32.0 :	**********
32.5-40.0 :	* [high = 33.0]

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, spring semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz04NoR3


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	******* [low = 12.0]
16.5-24.0 :	*************** [mean = 23.5 +/- 6.6]
24.5-32.0 :	***********
32.5-40.0 :	***** [high = 36.5]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz04s0U7


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	**********
16.5-24.0 :	************** [mean = 24.4 +/- 8.6]
24.5-32.0 :	************
32.5-40.0 :	********** [high = 40.0]

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, fall semester 2014
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz04s4tR


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 4.0]
8.5-16.0 :	*****
16.5-24.0 :	***********
24.5-32.0 :	******************** [mean = 25.2 +/- 7.8]
32.5-40.0 :	******* [high = 40]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz04n33P


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 4.0]
8.5-16.0 :	*
16.5-24.0 :	*******
24.5-32.0 :	**************** [mean = 28.1 +/- 7.3]
32.5-40.0 :	********** [high = 40]