Question

Johannes Kepler improved our understanding of the orbits of the planets around the Sun. He made extensive calculations based on his own and others' observations and concluded that the planets follow an elliptical path around the Sun, rather than a circular path.



Which of the following would be most important to a scientist who wanted to test Kepler's conclusion?


Logical reasoning about the size, composition, and density of each planet.


Empirical evidence using data about the core temperature of each planet.


Empirical evidence using data about the location of each planet each night through the year.


Logical reasoning about the length of time it takes each planet to rotate once on its axis.

Answer 1

Empirical evidence using data about the location of each planet each night through the year.

Reason: Kepler's laws are about the shape and motion of planetary orbits, so testing them requires tracking planetary positions over time. Planetary composition, core temperature, or rotation period don't determine the orbital shape.