Calculating distance and size of moon
Distance of moon (reflection method)
Using reflection method we will calculate the distance of moon.A laser beam is a source of very intense, monochromatic and unidirectional beam. By sending a laser beam towards the moon instead of sound waves, the echo method becomes useful in finding the distance of moon from earth. If t is the total time taken by laser beam in going towards moon and back, then distance s of moon from earth’s surface is given by:
s = ct/2.
Where c =3 × 108 m/s, is the velocity of light.
Calculation of size of an astronomical object like moon (Triangulation method)
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| Calculating distance and size of moon |
Suppose moon be the astronomical object, whose diameter D is to be measured shown in the above figure. In order to do so, moon is observed with the help of a telescope from a place E on the earth and the angle θ made by two diametrically opposite ends P and Q of the moon at point E on the earth is determined. The angle is called the angular diameter of the moon. If d is the distance of the moon from earth then PQ can be taken as the arc of radius d, then
Θ =PQ/d=D/d or D = θd
Thus by determining d and θ, D can be calculated.
Calculation of distance of moon from earth (Parallax Method)
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| Calculation of distance of moon from earth |
The position of moon M in the solar system is observed simultaneously from two place P1 and P2 o the surface of the earth which is far removed from each other. From positions P1 and P2, the parallaxes θ1 and θ2 respectively of moon M with respect to sum distant star S are determined with the help of an astronomical telescope. Therefore, the total parallax of the moon subtended on P1P2 is θ1+θ2=θ. Shown in above figure.
Because θ = P1PP2/PM
Hence PM = P1PP2/θ
As astronomical bodies are at very large distance from earth, hence P1PP2 ≈P1P2 and PM ≈MO
OM = P1P2/θ
Thus by measuring distance P1P2 between two places of observation and total parallax θ, the distance OM of moon from the earth can be calculated.
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