o.o so how do they?
2007-03-28 11:08:22 · 6 answers · asked by LizAsAweS)mE 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
can you please be serious
2007-03-28 11:16:22 · update #1
If you are talking about spin then you just watch how long it takes some feature to disappear during rotation and return to the original spot. It is not clear how fast some of the gas planets spin since they lack any sort of contant surface features.
If you are tlaking about "years" you can either try to do it observationally or if you can determine the mass and distance from the sun use Keppler's Laws of Planetary Motion to determine it.
2007-03-29 08:27:59 · answer #1 · answered by kim_dude2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We actually just did this in science, but how scientists do it is they basically look for something that really stands out on a planets surface and something they know will stay on the surface. After they have found something that meets the requirements, they basically record when they can see the feature that stands out and when they cannot. So, in conclusion, they tally up how many days it took for the feature to complete a full rotation.
Hope I am of some help.
2007-03-28 20:08:31 · answer #2 · answered by streetracer67856 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The are certain features on planets that can be seen by telescope. So every time the same spot comes around, just count back how many days or months since the last time it could be seen in that position and bingo.
2007-03-28 18:20:29 · answer #3 · answered by hironymus 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Are you asking about orbit or spin?
2007-03-28 18:50:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
they use the power of there imagination
2007-03-28 18:13:11 · answer #5 · answered by Daniel P 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They just ask me.
2007-03-28 18:15:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋