How can the diameter of the sun be determined?

1 Answer
A. S. Adikesavan
Mar 23, 2016

From the angular spacing of the right-above-head solar disc and the distance of the Sun.

Explanation:

If the angular spacing is #alpha# and the distance of the observer from the Sun is# 1 AU -6378 km=149597871-6378 = 149591493 km#,

the diameter = 2 X 149591493 X tan #(alpha/2)# km-

The compatible data are #alpha = 0.5334^o# and 5-sd diameter = 1392600 km.

The precision depends on the precision in #alpha#. It is just 4-sd approximation for #alpha#.So, answer is reliable up to 4 or 5 sd only.

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