PV Gap

Sandra Said:

which tracking system and GPS is ned it to follow a solar balloon?

We Answered:

You would need a radiosonde type device with the balloon which is equipped with gps.

NASA has a wealth of information on tracking, and additional information may be found at their website.

You may have difficulty demodulating the GPS data returns, as it is usually the doppler information encoded.

Here are a few links to help you.

Bonnie Said:

Music used in Wonders of the Solar System?

We Answered:

A lot of the music used in the BBC Series "Wonders of the Solar System" is the original score written for the show by TV composer, Sheridan Tongue. It's quite likely that the piece you're looking for is an original piece written for the show.

If you can reference a specific time in a specific episode where the music you're interested in is used, I might be able to provide further information.

Nellie Said:

What was the name of the track on "Wonders of the Solar System" at 13:05?

We Answered:

im not too sure - it just sounds like Trance to be honest! - that programme is brill! - i was hooked on the first episode! :)

Ruben Said:

have astronomers tracked the trajectory of planets in other solar systems? if so do they also obey Keplers?

We Answered:

Yes, they have tracked the orbits.
No, they don't obey Kepler's laws. Even the planets going around our own sun do not obey Kepler's laws. That's because Kepler's laws are simple approximations, and are not accurate enough for modern astronomical work. Professional astronomers use better approximations that include most all of the effects of General Relativity.

Kepler's laws are good for a single planet going around a star, at a far distance. But if there are two planets going around a star, or if a planet is close to the star (like Mercury is close to the sun), then Kepler's laws are too simple. They don't include the gravity effects of the planets on each other, or the effects of General Relativity.

Gilbert Said:

What are solar tracking systems?

We Answered:

from my engineering experience, a solar tracking system is a servo controller that can track the movement of the sun across the sky.
This lets solar panels and other collectors maintain maximum perpendicular (to the sun) surface area throughout the day.