How far the Earth is
from the Sun? This apparently simple question is actually a matter of dispute
scientists for over a hundred years.
How to solve a specific
point on the Earth to measure? How to determine what distance from the Sun to
calculate - up of vapor or flames?
Astronomical unit - a
unit of distance in astronomy, which is approximately equal to the average
distance from Earth to the Sun, was first calculated by the astronomer and
engineer Giovanni Cassini in 1672. He compared his measurements on Mars, with
the observations of his colleague Jean Richer, helping them determine the value
of the third - the distance between the Earth and the Sun is 146 million
kilometers.
But in fact, this
number is a parallax - a combination of constants that convert angular
measurements in the distance.
For ordinary mortals,
according to a recent decision of the International Astronomical Union, the
astronomical unit is equal to 149 597 870 700 meters.
For us, this decision
will not be a revolution in life, but for astronomers a fixed value means
greater convenience in calculating distances.
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