How to determine the height of the lunar craters in an investigative learning activity

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14808/sci.plena.2022.084808

Keywords:

Astronomy, teaching by investigation, moon’s craters

Abstract

In this work, we propose an interdisciplinary learning activity combining procedures on inquiry-based learning, techniques of scientific measurement and application of the scientific method based on the problem-based learning of how to measure the height of the Moon's craters using their shadows. Taking Astronomy as a teaser, we introduced a procedure using the professional DS9 software and image repositories such as that from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Moon Atlas 3D to measure the lunar shadows. We present a simplified trigonometric model to represent the projection effects of the sun's rays on the lunar surface and we apply it to Triesnecker, Arzachel and Autolycus craters. We obtained estimates for their heights with errors below 25% of the real values in an activity involving several interdisciplinary concepts relating to Mathematics, Geography, Physics and Astronomy.

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Published

2022-09-01

How to Cite

Silva, M. A., de Carvalho Neto, W. P., & Scarano Jr, S. (2022). How to determine the height of the lunar craters in an investigative learning activity. Scientia Plena, 18(8). https://doi.org/10.14808/sci.plena.2022.084808

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 8 (2022): Agosto/August 2022

Section

2 Semana Acadêmica de Física Integrada com Mestrado de Física e Áreas Correlatas

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Miqueline Aragão Silva, Walter Prado de Carvalho Neto, Sergio Scarano Jr

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