In this lab exercise you will be following the methods of the Ancients (Greek Astronomers of Alexandria) to determine the sizes of the Earth, Moon and Sun and also the distances between them. Most of these measurements were quite difficult for the ancient astronomers to carry out and although you will be following their methods you will be using better observations than were available to them. In fact, you will see that the simple model which the Ancients had of the Sun-Earth-Moon system allows quite accurate determination of distances when good observations are used.

The steps to follow:

• Make sure you have a copy of the answer sheet
• Read the introduction
• First rung: The size of the Earth
• Second rung: The size and distance to the Moon
• Third rung: The size and distance to the Sun
• Summary and Conclusions

This page is maintained by Luis Mendoza .
Suggestions, comments, and questions should be sent to: mendoza@astro.washington.edu
Last update: Apr.7,1998

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