by

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

2004

Approved by

Chairperson of Supervisory Committee

Program Authorized
to Offer Degree

Date

Abstract

by

Chairperson of the Supervisory Committee:	Professor Elsa Leavitt
Department of Science

A thesis presented on the history of astronomy and the solar system, beginning with the birth of the solar system, and covering the geology, atmosphere, and moons of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus.

Table of Contents

List of Figures	ii

List of Tables	iii

Preface	iv

Introduction	1

Chapter I: Case Study	2

Statement of Problem	3

Purpose of Study	3

Description of Terms	5

Chapter II: Conceptual Framework	12

Physiology of Problem	13

Sociology of Problem	21

Chapter III: Methodology	40

Selection of Celestial Bodies	41

Selection of Subjects	43

Collection of Data	50

Analysis of Data	57

Chapter IV: Findings and Discussion	60

Description of Findings	63

Summary	71

Glossary	73

Bibliography	75

Appendix A: Questionnaire	77

Appendix B: Consent Form	78

Appendix C: Data Figures	79

Pocket Material: Map of Case Study Solar Systems

List of figures

Number	Page

Mercury	12

Venus	13

Earth	14

Mars	16

The Asteroid Belt	17

Land Forms	18

Site Topography	21

Views	24

Functional Relationships	28

Spatial Magnitudes	36

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to express sincere appreciation to Professors Smith and Jones for their assistance in the preparation of this manuscript. In addition, special thanks to Dr. Elsa Leavitt whose familiarity with the needs and ideas of the class was helpful during the early programming phase of this undertaking. Thanks also to the members of the school council for their valuable input.

Glossary

Asteroid. A very small planet ranging from 1,000 km to less than one km in diameter. Asteroids are found commonly around other larger planets.

Atmosphere. The gaseous mass that surrounds any planet, including Earth.

Density. The number (as of particles) per unit of measure.

Galaxy. A system of stars independent from all other systems.

Moon. The natural satellite of any planet.

Orbit. The path taken by a satellite around a celestial body.

Planet. A large, nonluminous mass, usually with its own moons, which revolves around a star. Planets are found everywhere in the galaxy.

Solar. Having to do with the sun.

Chapter 1

The Solar System

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bibliography

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Index

A

Aristotle, 3

F

From a Galaxy, 2

G

Geocentric theory, 2

H

Heliocentric theory, 3

M

Mariner space mission, 2

Mercury, 3

Milky Way, 2

O

Orbit

Mercury, 3

P

Planets and Moons, 2

R

Rotation

Mercury, 3

S

Solar system

creation, 2

geocentric theory, 2

heliocentric theory, 3

Mariner mission, 2

Voyager mission, 2

T

The Solar System, 2

V

Voyager space mission, 2

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