1) Recall that Astra's spin axis is perpendicular to its orbital plane. Astra's orbit is also somewhat more elliptical than the Earth's, and its closest approach to the Son occurs near the New Year. Describe the seasons on Astra: when they occur, how long they last relative to each other, and their cause. If the Son spends about the same length of time in each constellation on the ecliptic, what can you say about the relative sizes of the constellations?
 

2) The witness testifies that the defendant’s face was clearly visible because the light of the full moon was streaming through the window and lighting things up. The window faces west to the ocean in Santa Monica, the crime took place at 3am, and it has been established that the moon was indeed full on the date in question. Can the defense attorney get an astronomer to truthfully testify that the witness is lying?
 

3) If you see the last quarter moon overhead, what do you think the local tides can best be described as: high, low, rising, falling? Explain why you give your answer.
 

4) Using Appendix Tables 3 and 5, show that the mass of Jupiter follows properly from the orbital data of its moon, Io. Since Jupiter’s mass is given in Earth masses, just use the ratio of the Earth-Moon system with the Jupiter-Io system to do this problem.