ABSTRACT

A group of students has decided to investigate Pluto’s erratic orbit around the Sun. Their goal is to set up computer simulations with different configurations of planets orbiting the sun to determine which planet has an effect on Pluto’s orbit (e.g., a simulation with only Pluto and the Sun; a second simulation with Pluto, Neptune, and the Sun, etc.). They gather some information about Pluto, the Sun, and other planets, such as mass, distance from the sun, length of an orbit, etc., and plan on using these values to set up the simulation. They have been working with the teacher to develop this basic research methodology, and everyone, including the teacher, is satisfied with the viability of this approach.