From the collection of 15 images linked above, select 3-4 that tell a story of the moons’ motion relative to Jupiter. Consider whether you get better results comparing hour-by-hour or day-by-day photos. Consider also how you might present this data, visually, to maximum effect? Post your reflection in the comments below.

Report: drawing exclusively on the image set linked above, what can you conclude about the moons revolving around Jupiter? How many distinct moons do you see? Taking into account the timestamp of each image, are some of the moons orbiting faster than others? To be clear, your goal is NOT to get the “right” answer to any of these questions, but rather to get the best answer(s) you can based on the evidence available to you.

Your report should draw from at least three of the images, and should present them visually so as to highlight the moons’ motion. Image processing: to better isolate this motion, you will likely need to manipulate the images so that Jupiter is stationary. Note that all these images all have the same magnification and angle, so all you need to do here is shift the images up, down, right or left to bring Jupiter into the same position from one image to the next. Clear visual presentation of this data will be one factor considered in the grade for this assignment.

Options for your write-up:

1. You can assume the persona of Galileo, one of his assistants, or a contemporary rival, writing in the early 1600s as one of the first people to see Jupiter’s moons.
2. Alternatively, you can write from a modern perspective, evaluating your results by comparison to modern data (Wikipedia).

Either way, match your language to the occasion. Your writeup should detail the procedure you followed in processing the data, and should conclude by meditating on how your results might be improved upon.

Turn your report in by emailing it as a .pdf to Prof Henebry.

On a day with relatively clear skies, look up the expected time of sunset, then use your cellphone camera to document the sun setting. Take multiple photographs from the same position starting roughly ten minutes before sunset.

Under the appropriate heading in the comments below, post your best image along with a 1-¶ reflection: Did the sun appear to set before or after the official time of sunset? Why do you suppose that is? How might you improve data collection in preparation for documenting the Autumnal Equinox next week?

Using a photograph of the setting sun as reference, mark on a local map your position as well as the direction of the sun as it set.

Under the appropriate heading in the comments below, post a 1-¶ reflection: how confident are you in these findings? How might you use landmarks in the photographs to improve the accuracy of your findings?

Use your cameraphone to document the sun as it dips below the horizon on the Autumnal Equinox (Sep 22, 2025), standing on or near a landmark in your area where you have a good view of the western horizon. (In case of cloudy weather, perform this experiment on an evening shortly after the equinox.) Be sure to record your own position as well as capturing the sun’s position as it sets.

Under the appropriate heading in the comments below, post your best image along with a 1-¶ reflection: Did the sun appear to set due West? How can you tell?

Under the appropriate heading in the comments below, post your finalized Autumnal Equinox fieldwork as a .pdf, including annotated photographic data and a map showing the direction of the sun as it set. Your writeup should detail both the experimental procedure you followed in week 4 and the data processing you used to create the map. It should conclude by meditating on the accuracy of your results—and how they might be improved upon if you were to repeat the experiment next year.