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XVIII International Astronomy Olympiad Problems

The document outlines the problems for the XVIII International Astronomy Olympiad held in Vilnius, Lithuania, from September 6 to 14, 2013. It includes theoretical questions on astronomical phenomena, calculations related to celestial bodies, and historical measurements of solar energy. Participants are instructed to provide answers in English or Russian, and some problems may present impossible situations requiring logical explanations.

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Yunadi Zahidin
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15 views8 pages

XVIII International Astronomy Olympiad Problems

The document outlines the problems for the XVIII International Astronomy Olympiad held in Vilnius, Lithuania, from September 6 to 14, 2013. It includes theoretical questions on astronomical phenomena, calculations related to celestial bodies, and historical measurements of solar energy. Participants are instructed to provide answers in English or Russian, and some problems may present impossible situations requiring logical explanations.

Uploaded by

Yunadi Zahidin
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

АСТРОНОМИЧЕСКОЕ EURO–ASIAN Round Theo 

ОБЩЕСТВО ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY


Group  
XVIII Международная астрономическая олимпиада
XVIII International Astronomy Olympiad
язык
Литва, Вильнюс 6 – 14. IX. 2013 Vilnius, Lithuania
language English

Theoretical round. Problems to solve


General note. Maybe not all problems have correct questions. Some questions (maybe the main question of the problem,
maybe one of the subquestions) may make no real sense. In this case you have to write in your answer (in English or Russian):
«impossible situation – ситуация невозможна». Of course, this answer has to be explained numerically or logically.
Data from the tables (Planetary data, stars, constants, etc.) may be used for solving every problem.
The answers «Да-Yes» or «Нет-No» have to be written in English or Russian.
 1. Star rise in Moletai. An observer in Moletai recorded that a star culminated at 02:54 and set at 05:45 on
September 8, 2013. Effects of irregularities of the horizon should not be taken into account.
1.1. At what time will the star rise on September 9, 2013?
1.2. In approximately which direction do you need to wait for the rising of the star? Choose one of the alternatives:
N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW. Draw a picture with an explanation.
 2. Gliese 581 g. This celestial body in the system of the star Gliese 581 is the most Earth-like planet found outside the
Solar System, and the exoplanet with the greatest recognized potential for harboring albuminous based life.
Estimate orbital period  of Gliese 581 g. Consider the orbit to be circular.
 3. Observations from Gliese 581 g.
3.1. What is the apparent magnitude of our Sun and 3.2. what is the approximate constellation in which our Sun
will be seen when observed from the planet Gliese 581 g?
 4. XVIII century. Midday. (Dubingiai is the nearest town to the accommodation place of XVIII IAO.).
There were different systems of units of measurement in the history of science. This problem is to use historical (at
present оbsolete) units of measurement.
4.1. Calculate the capacity of the solar energy that in the end of the XVIII century fell on the unit of area of the
territory in the outskirts of Dubingiai at midday time:
in winter, in spring, in autumn, and in summer.
The answer must be given using only the «new» physical units, which were coming into
operation in those days in this area: horse-powers per square verst.
4.2. Estimate also the capacity of the solar energy incident on a local horse those times.
The answer must also be expressed in physical units, which were coming into operation
in those days. What can be surprising about the right answer?
5. XXI century. Midday. As is known, the Republic of Lithuania (see map) uses zone with winter time UT+02 and
summer time UT+03. Calculate and draw a conclusion about the following:
5.1. Are there any places in Lithuania, where today (September 8, 2013) the Sun will be exactly in the south at a
time when the watches of residents will show just 12:00? («да-yes» or «нет-no»).
5.2. And in general, on the other days of the year, are there such places? («да-yes» or «нет-no»). If "yes", then
calculate in what dates, if "no", then justify it by calculations.
 6. Supernova remnant. An X-ray image of supernova remnant (SNR) Cas A located at a distance of d = 3400 pc was
obtained using Chandra Space Observatory. The negative of this image is shown in Fig. SNR. The boundaries of
the SNR region are marked by a circle. The scale of the image is shown in the upper left corner of the figure. A dot
located close to the center of the circle is the neutron star – the remaining core of the collapsed star. The
rectangular marks outside the circle are given for the reference when determining the center of the circle.
Assume that the amount of energy released in the supernova explosion was about ESN ≈ 1046 J, 1% of which drives
the expansion of the remnant. The average density of the matter in the SNR is  ≈ 10–21 kg/m3.
6.1. Estimate the age of the SNR Cas A.
6.2. Calculate the average velocity of the motion of the neutron star from the center of the SNR.
Литва, Вильнюс 2013 Vilnius, Lithuania
АСТРОНОМИЧЕСКОЕ EURO–ASIAN Round Theo 
ОБЩЕСТВО ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Group  
XVIII Международная астрономическая олимпиада
XVIII International Astronomy Olympiad
язык
Литва, Вильнюс 6 – 14. IX. 2013 Vilnius, Lithuania
language English

Theoretical round. Problems to solve

General note. Maybe not all problems have correct questions. Some questions (maybe the main question of the problem,
maybe one of the subquestions) may make no real sense. In this case you have to write in your answer (in English or Russian):
«impossible situation – ситуация невозможна». Of course, this answer has to be explained numerically or logically.
Data from the tables (Planetary data, stars, constants, etc.) may be used for solving every problem.
The answers «Да-Yes» or «Нет-No» have to be written in English or Russian.

1. RadioAstron. The RadioAstron project is an international collaborative mission lead by Astro-Space


Center of Russian Academy of Sciences. On July 18, 2011 a satellite, «Spektr-R», carrying a 10-m (in
diameter) space radio-telescope was launched into an elliptical orbit around the Earth. Together with
Earth-based radio-telescopes, «Spektr-R» works as interferometer. RadioAstron operates at the standard
radio astronomical wavelengths of 1.19–1.63 cm (K-band), 6.2 cm (C-band), 18 cm (L-band), and 92 cm
(P-band). Now «Spektr-R» is rotating in a very elongated orbit with a period  = 8.3 days and a height of
perigee h = 600 km from the Earth surface.
1.1. Estimate the maximum resolving power (angular resolution in arcsec) of RadioAstron. Draw a
schematic picture, explaining your choice of the situation when it may occur.
1.2. Estimate the resolving power of RadioAstron if the target is observed in the direction of the major
axis of «Spektr-R» orbit, and also draw a schematic picture.

 2. Gliese 581 g. This celestial body in the system of the star Gliese 581 is the most Earth-like planet found
outside the Solar System, and the exoplanet with the greatest recognized potential for harboring
albuminous based life.
2.1. Estimate orbital period  of Gliese 581 g. Consider the orbit to be circular.
2.2. Assume intelligent life resides on Gliese 581 g. The civilization uses radio-waves. Is it possible to
determine the size (diameter) of the planet by observations on RadioAstron («да-yes» or «нет-no»)?
Justify the answer by calculations.

 3. Observations from Gliese 581 g.


3.1. What is the apparent magnitude of our Sun and 3.2. what is the approximate constellation in which
our Sun will be seen when observed from the planet Gliese 581 g?
3.3. Estimate the angular diameter of the star Gliese 581 when observed from the planet Gliese 581 g.
XVIII IAO 2013 Theoretical round. Problems to solve. Group . page 2 of 2

 4. XVIII century. Midday. (Dubingiai is the nearest town


to the accommodation place of XVIII IAO.).
There were different systems of units of measurement in the history of science. This problem is to use
historical (at present оbsolete) units of measurement.
4.1. Calculate the capacity of the solar energy that in the end of the XVIII century fell on the unit of area
of the territory in the outskirts of Dubingiai at midday time:
in winter, in spring, in autumn, and in summer.
The answer must be given using only the «new» physical units, which were
coming into operation in those days in this area: horse-powers per square verst.
4.2. Estimate also the capacity of the solar energy incident on a local horse those
times. The answer must also be expressed in physical units, which were coming
into operation in those days. What can be surprising about the right answer?

5. XXI century. Midday. As is known, the Republic of Lithuania (see map) uses zone with winter time
UT+02 and summer time UT+03. Calculate and draw a conclusion about the following:
5.1. Are there any places in Lithuania, where today (September 8, 2013) the Sun will be exactly in the
south at a time when the watches of residents will show just 12:00? («да-yes» or «нет-no»).
5.2. And in general, on the other days of the year, are there such places? («да-yes» or «нет-no»). If "yes",
then calculate in what dates, if "no", then justify it by calculations.

 6. Supernova remnant. An X-ray image of supernova remnant (SNR) Cas A located at a distance of
d = 3400 pc was obtained using Chandra Space Observatory. The negative of this image is shown in
Fig. SNR. The boundaries of the SNR region are marked by a circle. The scale of the image is shown in
the upper left corner of the figure. A dot located close to the center of the circle is the neutron star – the
remaining core of the collapsed star. The rectangular marks outside the circle are given for the reference
when determining the center of the circle.
Assume that the amount of energy released in the supernova explosion was about ESN ≈ 1046 J, 1% of
which drives the expansion of the remnant. The average density of the matter in the SNR is
 ≈ 10–21 kg/m3.
6.1. Estimate the age of the SNR Cas A.
6.2. Calculate the average velocity of the motion of the neutron star from the center of the SNR.

Литва, Вильнюс 2013 Vilnius, Lithuania


АСТРОНОМИЧЕСКОЕ EURO–ASIAN Round Theo 
ОБЩЕСТВО ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Group  
XVIII Международная астрономическая олимпиада
язык
XVIII International Astronomy Olympiad language Русский
язык
Литва, Вильнюс 6 – 14. IX. 2013 Vilnius, Lithuania
language English

Теоретический тур. Рисунок к задаче 6

Theoretical round. Picture for problem 6

SNR

Литва, Вильнюс 2013 Vilnius, Lithuania


АСТРОНОМИЧЕСКОЕ EURO–ASIAN Round Theo 
ОБЩЕСТВО ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Group  
XVIII Международная астрономическая олимпиада
язык
XVIII International Astronomy Olympiad language Русский
язык
Литва, Вильнюс 6 – 14. IX. 2013 Vilnius, Lithuania
language English
Элементы орбит.
Физические характеристики некоторых планет, Луны и Солнца
Parameters of orbits.
Physical characteristics of some planets, Moon and Sun

Среднее Сидерический На- Экс- Эквато- Сред- Ускор. Макс.


Небесное расстояние от (или аналогичный) клон цен- риальн. Масса няя своб. На- блеск,
тело, центрального тела период обращения орби- триси- диаметр плот- пад. клон вид. с Аль-
планета в в в в ты, тет, ность у пов. оси Земли бедо
астр. млн. тропич. средних км 24 **)
ед. км годах сутках i е 10 кг г/см
3
м/с
2

Average distance to Sidereal period Orbital Ec- Equat. Av. Grav. Max.
Body, central body (or analogous) inclin- centri- diameter Mass den- accelr. Axial magn. Al-
planet in in in ation, city sity at surf. tilt From bedo
astr. tropical in km 24 Earth
units
6
10 km years days i е 10 kg g/cm
3
m/s
2
**)
Солнце
Sun 1,6·109 2,5·1011 2,2·108 8·1010 1392000 1989000 1,409 -26,74m
Меркурий
Mercury 0,387 57,9 0,241 87,969 7,00° 0,206 4 879 0,3302 5,43 3,70 0,01° 0,06
Венера
Venus 0,723 108,2 0,615 224,7007 3,40 0,007 12 104 4,8690 5,24 8,87 177,36 0,78
Земля
Earth 1,000 149,6 1,000 365,2564 0,00 0,017 12 756 5,9742 5,515 9,81 23,44 0,36
Луна
Moon 0,00257 0,38440 0,0748 27,3217 5,15 0,055 3 475 0,0735 3,34 1,62 6,7 -12,7m 0,07
Марс
Mars 1,524 227,9 1,880 686,98 1,85 0,093 6 794 0,6419 3,94 3,71 25,19 -2,0m 0,15
Юпитер
Jupiter 5,204 778,6 11,862 4 332,59 1,30 0,048 142 984 1899,8 1,33 24,86 3,13 -2,7m 0,66
Сатурн
Saturn 9,584 1433,7 29,458 10 759,20 2,48 0,054 120 536 568,50 0,70 10,41 26,73 0,7m 0,68

**) Для внешних планет и Луны – в среднем противостоянии.


**) For outer planets and Moon – in mean opposition.

Уравнение времени
Equation of time

Lietuva * Lithuania * Литва

Литва, Вильнюс 2013 Vilnius, Lithuania


АСТРОНОМИЧЕСКОЕ EURO–ASIAN Round Theo 
ОБЩЕСТВО ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Group  
XVIII Международная астрономическая олимпиада
язык
XVIII International Astronomy Olympiad language Русский
язык
Литва, Вильнюс 6 – 14. IX. 2013 Vilnius, Lithuania
language English

Некоторые константы и формулы


Some constants and formulae

Скорость света в вакууме, c (м/с) 299 792 458 Speed of light in vacuum, c (m/s)
Гравитационная постоянная, G (Н·м /кг )
2 2
6.674·10 -11
Constant of gravitation, G (N·m2/kg2)
Солнечная постоянная, A (Вт/м2) 1367 Solar constant, A (W/m2)
Параметр Хаббла, среднее значение 71 mean value Hubble parameter,
H0 (км/с/МПк) диапазон значений 50-100 diapason of values H0 (km/s/Mpc)
Постоянная Планка, h (Дж·с) 6.626·10-34 Plank constant, h (J·s)
Заряд электрона, e (Кл) 1.602·10 -19
Charge of electron, e (C)
Масса электрона, me (кг) 9.109·10 -31
Mass of electron, me (kg)
Соотношение масс протона и электрона 1836.15 Proton-to-electron ratio
Постоянная Фарадея, F (Кл/моль) 96 485 Faraday constant, F (C/mol)
Магнитная постоянная, 0 (Гн/м) 1.257·10 -6
Magnetic constant, 0 (H/m)
Универсальная газовая постоянная, R (Дж/моль/K) 8.314 Universal gas constant, R (J/mol/K)
Постоянная Больцмана, k (Дж/K) 1.381·10 -23
Boltzmann constant, k (J/K)
Постоянная Стефана-Больцмана,  (Вт/м /K ) 2 4
5.670·10 -8
Stefan-Boltzmann constant,  (W/m2/K4)
Константа смещения Вина, b (м·K) 0.002897 Wien’s displacement constant, b (m·K)
Лабораторная длина волны Hα (Å) 6562.81 Laboratory wavelength of Hα (Å)
Длина тропического года, T (сут) 365.242199 Tropical year length, T (days)
Стандартная атмосфера (Па) 101 325 Standard atmosphere (Pa)
Ослабление видимого света земной атмосферой Visible light extinction by the terrestrial
19%, 0.23m
в зените (минимально) atmosphere in zenith (minimum)
Показатель преломления воды при 20°C, n 1.334 Refractive index of water for 20°C, n
2
Момент инерции шара I = /5 MR2 Moment of inertia of a solid ball
Объём шара V = /3 R 4 3
Volume of a ball
Площадь сферы S = 4R2 Area of sphere
 3.14159265 
e 2.71828183 e
Золотое сечение,  1.61803399 Golden ratio, 

Литва, Вильнюс 2013 Vilnius, Lithuania


АСТРОНОМИЧЕСКОЕ EURO–ASIAN Round Theo 
ОБЩЕСТВО ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Group  
XVIII Международная астрономическая олимпиада
язык
XVIII International Astronomy Olympiad language Русский
язык
Литва, Вильнюс 6 – 14. IX. 2013 Vilnius, Lithuania
language English

Данные о некоторых звёздах


Data of some stars

масса
 RA DEC p m SC ma s s
m
vis -26 .74
Солнце Sun ʘ 0h – 24h -23°26' +23°26' 8".794 m G2 1 Mʘ
bol -26 .82
Проксима Proxima V645Cen, 14h 29m 43s -62° 40' 46" 0".769 m
M5.5
11 .05 0.123 Mʘ
Центавра Centauri  Cen C
m G2
Альфа Alpha A 14h 39m 37s -60° 50' 02" -0 .01 1.1 Mʘ
 Cen h m s
-60° 50' 14"
0".747 m
Центавра Centauri B 14 39 35 1 .34 K1 0.9 Mʘ
Бета Beta m
 Cen 14h 03m 49s -60° 22' 23" 0".009 0 .61 B1 21 Mʘ
Центавра Centauri
Эпсилон Epsilon m
 Eri 03h 32m 56s -09° 27' 30" 0".311 3 .74 K2 0.82 Mʘ
Эридана Eridani
m
vis 10 .57
Глизе 581 Gliese 581 HO Lib 15h 19m 27s -07° 43' 20" 0".16 m M3V 0.31 Mʘ
bol 8 .0

Меры мощности
1 лошадиная сила (л.с.) = 735,49875 Вт

Units of power
1 horse-power (hp) = 735,49875 W

Местные меры длины Local units of length


конца XVIII века in the end of XVIII century
1 аршин (арш) = 0,711187 м 1 arshin (arsh) = 0.711187 m
1 пядь (пд) = 1/4 аршина 1 span (sp) = 1/4 arshin
1 вершок (врш) = 1/4 пяди 1 vershok (vrsh) = 1/4 span
1 сажень (сж) = 3 аршина 1 sajene (sj) = 3 arshin
1 верста (врст) = 500 саженей 1 verst (vrst) = 500 sajene

Литва, Вильнюс 2013 Vilnius, Lithuania


АСТРОНОМИЧЕСКОЕ EURO–ASIAN Round Theo 
ОБЩЕСТВО ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Group 
XVIII Международная астрономическая олимпиада
язык
XVIII International Astronomy Olympiad language Русский
язык
Литва, Вильнюс 6 – 14. IX. 2013 Vilnius, Lithuania
language English
Диаграмма Герцшпрунга-Рассела Hertzsprung-Russell diagram

Литва, Вильнюс 2013 Vilnius, Lithuania

Common questions

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Observing celestial phenomena from exoplanets like Gliese 581 g provides unique scientific benefits such as examining solar and stellar properties from new perspectives, understanding varied environmental impacts, and testing planetary models under different conditions. However, limitations include technological constraints for establishing observatories on distant planets and challenges in consistent observational data collection due to potential atmospheric and surface conditions. These factors highlight the complexities in obtaining a multi-faceted understanding of the universe .

The apparent magnitude of the Sun as viewed from Gliese 581 g would be significantly dimmer than from Earth, offering insights into distance effects on brightness perception. This can be used to calibrate models assessing how Earth-like planets in other star systems perceive their suns. The perception of brightness in relation to distance informs us how light diminishes over space and can affect potential solar energy received on exoplanets, impacting habitability assessments .

Estimating the orbital period of Gliese 581 g involves challenges such as uncertainty in stellar mass and distance measurements, observational limitation from Earth, and potential gravitational perturbations from other bodies. Assuming a circular orbit simplifies the calculations by reducing variables like eccentricity. The orbital period τ can be estimated using Kepler's third law, linking it to the star's mass and assuming the orbit radius based on known semi-major axis measurements .

Supernova remnants like Cas A offer insights into the life cycle of stars, particularly in end-of-life phenomena and chemical enrichment of the interstellar medium. The age of Cas A can be determined by analyzing the expansion velocity of the shell using X-ray images and known distances, alongside calculations of the energy released and its contribution to the shell's expansion . Estimations of energy driving these expansions can be used to backtrack to the time of the explosion.

Historical timekeeping systems were often based on local solar time, with midday being when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, varying between locations. Modern systems use standardized time zones, potentially desynchronizing solar noon with 12:00 PM on clocks. In Lithuania, using UT+02 or UT+03 affects the perceived midday, as local solar noon may not align with clock time, complicating exact alignment without considering longitude adjustments and daylight saving effects .

Understanding the angular resolution capabilities of RadioAstron is crucial for observing distant celestial bodies like Gliese 581 g accurately. High angular resolution allows astronomers to resolve finer details and makes possible the study of surface features and exoplanet atmospheres. It helps in distinguishing closely spaced celestial objects and assessing atmospheric compositions, crucial for assessing habitability . With RadioAstron's interferometry, this resolution can be drastically improved over traditional single telescopes.

The time and direction of starrise are influenced by the observer's latitude, the star's declination, Earth's axial tilt, and the time of year. For instance, on September 9, 2013, the star that culminated at 02:54 and set at 05:45 at Moletai would rise at approximately 21:03 in the direction between East and Southeast . The declination of the star and Earth's rotation dictate this timing and position.

Discrepancies arise due to the mismatch between historical units like "horse-power per square verst" and modern energy metrics, compounded by differences in conversion methods and variations in precision and understanding. Examining these discrepancies can reveal limitations in past scientific understanding, particularly in quantifying energy, and highlight advances in energy knowledge. It also reveals socio-economic impacts of how energy was utilized and perceived in historical contexts .

The calculation of solar energy in 18th century Dubingiai using obsolete units like horse-power per square verst presents challenges due to differences in unit scales and conversions required to translate modern energy units into historical ones. It is not just a direct conversion but also understanding the context in which these units were used. The surprising element may relate to the perception of energy capacity then and now, where the relatively small numerical values could lead to underestimation of solar energy impact compared to modern units like watts .

The moment of inertia and volume of celestial objects help in understanding their mass distribution, interior structure, and rotational dynamics, which are critical for modeling their evolutionary properties. These concepts inform gravitational interactions, stability, and potential morphological changes during stages like contraction or expansion. Combining these with density and composition data provides a holistic view of how celestial bodies develop and interact in their environments, offering clues to their past and future states .

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