Universe: Stars And Galaxies
6th Edition
ISBN: 9781319115098
Author: Roger Freedman, Robert Geller, William J. Kaufmann
Publisher: W. H. Freeman
expand_more
expand_more
format_list_bulleted
Question
Chapter 3, Problem 50Q
To determine
How did Aristarchus try to estimates the diameters of Moon and Sun
Expert Solution & Answer
Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solutionStudents have asked these similar questions
"Aristarchus' Method of Determining the Distance to the Sun"
At the first quarter of the Moon (at position Q), the angle (EQS) equals 90° (see the
sketch below). Modern observations show that the interval from new Moon (near position
N) to first quarter (at Q) is 35 minutes shorter than that from first quarter to full Moon
(near position F). Given that the lunar synodic period (the interval between two identical
lunar phases) is 29 days and 12.73 hours, estimate the Earth-Sun distance (ES) in terms of
the Earth-Moon distance.
F/
E
"Aristarchus' Method of Determining the Distance to the Sun"
At the first quarter of the Moon (at position Q), the angle (EQS) equals 90° (see the
sketch below). Modern observations show that the interval from new Moon (near position
N) to first quarter (at Q) is 35 minutes shorter than that from first quarter to full Moon
(near position F). Given that the lunar synodic period (the interval between two identical
lunar phases) is 29 days and 12.73 hours, estimate the Earth-Sun distance (ES) in terms of
the Earth-Moon distance.
Tonight you see a waning crescent in the night sky. A few (n) days later, the night is once again clear and you see a waning crescent. How many degrees did the Moon advance in its orbit during this time frame?
Chapter 3 Solutions
Universe: Stars And Galaxies
Ch. 3 - Prob. 1QCh. 3 - Prob. 2QCh. 3 - Prob. 3QCh. 3 - Prob. 4QCh. 3 - Prob. 5QCh. 3 - Prob. 6QCh. 3 - Prob. 7QCh. 3 - Prob. 8QCh. 3 - Prob. 9QCh. 3 - Prob. 10Q
Ch. 3 - Prob. 11QCh. 3 - Prob. 12QCh. 3 - Prob. 13QCh. 3 - Prob. 14QCh. 3 - Prob. 15QCh. 3 - Prob. 16QCh. 3 - Prob. 17QCh. 3 - Prob. 18QCh. 3 - Prob. 19QCh. 3 - Prob. 20QCh. 3 - Prob. 21QCh. 3 - Prob. 22QCh. 3 - Prob. 23QCh. 3 - Prob. 24QCh. 3 - Prob. 25QCh. 3 - Prob. 26QCh. 3 - Prob. 27QCh. 3 - Prob. 28QCh. 3 - Prob. 29QCh. 3 - Prob. 30QCh. 3 - Prob. 31QCh. 3 - Prob. 32QCh. 3 - Prob. 33QCh. 3 - Prob. 34QCh. 3 - Prob. 35QCh. 3 - Prob. 36QCh. 3 - Prob. 37QCh. 3 - Prob. 38QCh. 3 - Prob. 39QCh. 3 - Prob. 40QCh. 3 - Prob. 41QCh. 3 - Prob. 42QCh. 3 - Prob. 43QCh. 3 - Prob. 44QCh. 3 - Prob. 45QCh. 3 - Prob. 46QCh. 3 - Prob. 47QCh. 3 - Prob. 48QCh. 3 - Prob. 49QCh. 3 - Prob. 50Q
Knowledge Booster
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.Similar questions
- How did Hipparchus discover the wobble of Earth’s axis, known as precession?arrow_forwardIn Ptolemys model, how do the epicycles of Mercury and Venus differ from those of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn?arrow_forwardThe Great Pyramid of Giza was constructed nearly 5000 years ago. Within the pyramid, archaeologists discovered a shaft leading from the central chamber out of the pyramid, oriented for favorable viewing of the bright star Thuban at that time. Thinking about Earth’s precession, explain why Thuban might have been an important star to the ancient Egyptians.arrow_forward
- In a part of Earth’s orbit where Earth is moving faster than usual around the Sun, would the length of the solar day change? If so, how? Explain.arrow_forwardHow did Aristotle deduce that the Sun is farther away from Earth than the Moon?arrow_forwardHow would Eratosthenes’s estimate have been different if the sun were actually closer to Earth?arrow_forward
- The average Earth-Moon distance is 3.84 X 10^5 km, while the Earth-Sun is 1.496 X 10^8 km. Since the radius of the Moon is 1.74 X 10^3 km and that of the Sun is 6.96 X 10^5 km. a) Calculate the angular radius of the Moon and the Sun, qmax, according to the following figure. D Bax R b) Calculate the solid angle of the Moon and the Sun as seen from Earth. (c) Interpret its results; Would this be enough to explain the occurrence of total solar eclipses?arrow_forwardWhat ancient evidence was found for a spherical Earth? (This question will show a checkbox next to each answer, and you must select ALL the correct answers and none of the wrong ones) the different angles of equinox shadows measured at cities in Egypt by Eratosthenes the curved shape of Earth's lunar eclipse shadow Circumnavigation of the earth the subtle curvature of the horizon sighted by the Greek astronomer, Metaxa The Pythagorean Theoremarrow_forwardA total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun and completely blocks out the Sun. This phenomenon is very spectacular and attracts people from all cultures. However, total solar eclipses can also take place on other planets of the Solar System. Determine for each of the following moons if they can create a total solar eclipse on their planet. Radius Distance to Planet Planet Distance to the Sun 228 x 10° km Moon Phobos 11 km Callisto 2410 km 9376 km Mars 1.883 x 106 km Jupiter 779 × 10° km Titan 2574 km 1.222 x 106 km Saturn 1433 x 106 km Oberon 761 km 0.584 x 106 km 2875 x 10° km Uranus Note: The radius of the Sun is 696 x 1o³ km.arrow_forward
- How did Aristotle apply the scientific method to lunar eclipses?arrow_forwardThe shadow cast by a vertical pillar in Alexandria at noon during the summer solstice is found to be 1/8 the height of the pillar. The distance between Alexandria and Syene is 1/8 Earth’s radius. Is there a geometric connection between these two 1-to-8 ratios?arrow_forwardWhat is the difference between a sidereal month and a synodic month? Which is longer? Why?arrow_forward
arrow_back_ios
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
arrow_forward_ios
Recommended textbooks for you
- An Introduction to Physical SciencePhysicsISBN:9781305079137Author:James Shipman, Jerry D. Wilson, Charles A. Higgins, Omar TorresPublisher:Cengage LearningAstronomyPhysicsISBN:9781938168284Author:Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. WolffPublisher:OpenStaxStars and Galaxies (MindTap Course List)PhysicsISBN:9781337399944Author:Michael A. SeedsPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Foundations of Astronomy (MindTap Course List)PhysicsISBN:9781337399920Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana BackmanPublisher:Cengage Learning
An Introduction to Physical Science
Physics
ISBN:9781305079137
Author:James Shipman, Jerry D. Wilson, Charles A. Higgins, Omar Torres
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Astronomy
Physics
ISBN:9781938168284
Author:Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
Publisher:OpenStax
Stars and Galaxies (MindTap Course List)
Physics
ISBN:9781337399944
Author:Michael A. Seeds
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Foundations of Astronomy (MindTap Course List)
Physics
ISBN:9781337399920
Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana Backman
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Kepler's Three Laws Explained; Author: PhysicsHigh;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyR6EO_RMKE;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY