Official Solution to the Astronomy Problem

Ahmed Saad Sabit

1 Analytical Solution

There are some realizations for which credit will be given, so as are fundamental to solve the problem in
the most generic system. Any proper solution in different approach shall be counted appropiately.
The basic ideas and realizations of the problem are,
• The Earth has already past considerable path along it’s orbit under 1 month. This drastically changes
the measurements so as the solution too. Because it has been said that 1 year is exactly 12 months, so
360 deg is passed in 12 months, yielding 30 deg displacement in 1 month. Taking the measure of days
is an unimportant detailing, but okay (P1 and P2 are different positions of Earth in 1 month interval
in the figure adjoined).
• The intersection (crossing) of line of sights (simply l1 and l2 line) has definite relations to the total
straight path taken by the source under 1 month. This is clear if one sees the application of the Cosine
Law.
• Line of sights are always tangential to the Sun surface, that is the perfect and appropiate approxima‐
tion done in the Problem to make it solvable.
• The main solution is NOT FINDING THE AVERAGE VELOCITY but the ANGLE OF INTERSECTION,
the Ω.
• So, the Main realization is to find Ω in any method.
We have the general idea of the distance between the Sun and the Earth, so as θ = 30 deg. In order to attack
for the problem, we generally need to find the line that joins the endpoint of l1 , l2 , but the angle made is
required, which is the Ω. I directly state some theorem that will be used in the problem solution text.
Theorem 1. For a triangle with sides a, b with angle between them θ, the third side c is shown by,

c2 = a2 + b2 + 2ab cos θ

Theorem 2. In a triangle, sum of all internal angle is 180o . And in a Quadrilateral, (the shape with 4 sides),
the sum of all angle is 360o .
Theorem 3. In a Right Angled Triangle (the triangle with a 90o ), if one angle is α, then the other angle is
90o − α.
Theorem 4. Opposite angles are equal.
Please refer to the diagram.

We notice that ∠CF1 O = ∠CF2 O = 90 deg, so,

∠CF1 O + ∠CF2 O = 180o

By theorem 2 for Quadrilaterals, we can show that,

∠F1 CF2 + ∠F1 OF2 = 180o

This is also clear by theorem 4 that,

∠F1 OF2 = Ω (1)
So, we have cleared that,
180o − ∠F1 CF2 = Ω (2)
Now considering ∠P1 F1 C, because sin ∠CP1 F1 = rsun /d,
(r )
∠CP1 F1 = sin−1
sun
d
Having the angle ∠CF1 P1 = 90o , using the theorem 3,

∠F1 CP1 = 90o − ∠CP1 F1 (3)

(r )
∠F1 CP1 = 90o − sin−1 (4)
sun
d
This is also notable that,
∠F1 CP1 = ∠F1 CP2 + θ
So,
∠F1 CP2 = ∠F1 CP1 − θ (5)
Using a simple analysis, we write the following angle, and put all required equation into the system to
simplyfy, we have a symmetricity over the C center. We use equation 5, 3.
∠F1 CF2 = 2∠F1 CP2 + θ
= 2∠F1 CP1 − 2θ + θ
= 2∠F1 CP1 − θ
(r )
= 180o − 2 sin−1
sun
−θ
d
We have made perfect relations of the biggest angle ∠F1 CF2 of the Sun, now using the equation 1, and 2,
Ω = 180o − ∠F1 CF2
(r )
= 180o − 180o + sin−1
sun
+θ
(r ) d
∴ = 2 sin−1
sun
+θ
d
We have shown the main foundation that,

(r )
Ω = 2 sin−1 (6)
sun
+θ
d

For the length of the line, we now use the Cosine Law of equation 1. For sake of simplicity in calculation,
let a side a have, √
2
a = rsun + d2 (7)
From the figure, we can easily show using theorem 1 and equation 7 that,

√
s= (l1 − a)2 + (l2 − a)2 + 2(l1 − a)(l2 − a) cos Ω
(8)

This has all the variables with given values so s is feasible, though long. We prefer to take numerical cal‐
culations in distinct manner, one by one. The sought time,

s
vav = (9)
T1month

2 Numerical Input to Analytical Solution

We have to take account of the numerical values one by one. Numerical Data:
• rsun = 6.690 × 108 m
• d = 1A.U = 1.490 × 1011 m
• Tyear = 1 year = 12 months ∼
= 3.14 × 107 s ∼
= π × 107 s
At first reducing a,
√ √
a= d2 + rsun
2 = (1.490 × 101 1)2 + (6.960 × 108 )2 m
= 1.490016255 × 1011 m ∼ = 1.49 × 1011 m (10)
Finding the required parts for the cosine form for s,
l1 − a = (8.4692 − 1.490) × 1011 m
= 6.9792 × 1011 m (11)
l2 − a = (9.8241 − 1.49) × 10 11
m
= 8.3341 × 10 11
m (12)
Now, for us to define the Ω of equation 6, we have to define an inverse sine function. We omit units for
sake of cleanliness,
(r )
Ω = 2 sin−1
sun
+θ
( d )
−1 6.960 × 108 360◦
= 2 sin +
1.490 × 1011 12
= 30.5353◦ (13)

Continued,

(l1 − a)2 + (l2 − a)2

= (6.9792 × 1011 )2 + (8.3341 × 1011 )2
= 1.1826 × 1024

The 2nd Part of s,

2(l1 − a)(l2 − a) cos Ω

= 2(6.9792 × 1011 )(8.3341 × 1011 ) × cos 30.5353◦
= 1.002 × 1024

Putting it all together,

√
s= (l1 − a)2 + (l2 − a)2 + 2(l1 − a)(l2 − a) cos Ω
√
= 1.1826 × 1024 + 1.002 × 1024
= 14.7804 × 1011

Finalizing the answer,

vav =
s 14.7804 × 1011 m
= =
Tmonth 30 × 24 × 60 × 60 s
14.7804 × 1011 m
=
2.592 × 106 s
= 5.7023 × 105 m/s (14)

Hence, our perfect answer,

vav = 5.7023 × 105 m/s (15)

3 Required Analysis

The average velocity is actually very high relative to the usual astronomical measurements made, though,
we have taken only the average values trying to keep the calculations as exact as possible. If this kind of
object is in orbit, then the period would be,
2πr
Tperiod = (16)
vav

Supplying the value of r as l1 (just for argument) gives the period,

Tyears,period = 0.2970 year (17)

This is not possible, without going to Keplar’s Law, we can easily see that for Earth staying so close to Sun
than the source, period Tearth ∼ = 1year. For an object by the Keplar’s Period Law, T 2 = ar3 , source staying
far away should have more period.
But this is only a genarality for circular orbits, an orbit can even be elliptical, given the source approaching
to the Sun might give possibility of a high speed staying in orbit. But even here, using the Geometry it is
not quite feasible because the source is not actually moving towards Sun. We conclude with the statement,

The Source is NOT orbiting the Sun.

4 Marking Scheme

1pts Understanding there is a geometric solution.

2pts Noticing the Annual Motion of Earth about the Sun plays a fundamental role in the system.
5pts Finding a correct solution to the angle Ω or any other way to vav .
◦ Drawing the Diagram as shown, or similar with all orders correct.
◦ Applications of theorem 1, especially; and others.
◦ Making the rough sketch of the possible source trajectory. The sketch should look as if the source
is moving somewhat away from the Sun (Solar System), a radially inwardly trajectory does not carry
marks.
◦ Making a feasible proof for the Trajectory.
2pts Processing the Numerical Solution and making the Brief Analysis about the source orbit.

Figure 1: General Sketch

Figure 2: Trajectory Relative to Sun