Testing Newtonian gravitation in educational context

Abstract

Abstract In both Upper Secondary School and first-level university courses, Newtonian gravitation is typically taught with a primary focus on theoretical aspects, particularly on solving the two-body problem. The solution is claimed reproduce Kepler's empirical laws, but little attention is given to the details of the validation.
 
In the past, the emphasis on theory could be justified by the technical difficulties associated with accessing and analyzing data. Today, however, the availability of open-access data and advanced computational tools makes it feasible to construct empirical evidence for Newtonian gravitation, even within classroom settings. This work revisits the arguments Newton himself used to support his theory and replicate the validation process through a series of activities designed for educational purposes. This approach includes analyzing astrophotographic and mareographic data, along with revisiting Aristarchus of Samos's method for measuring the distance to the Moon through eclipse analysis.