farthest point from Earth? Why are such observations impractical?
2006-07-20 07:51:19 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
The maximum distance between Earth and Venus is about 1.7 AU. 1 AU is 149,597,870 km. 1.7 AU is therefore 254,316,379 km. The speed of light is 299,792.458 km/s. Therefore is would take a radio signal to travel from Earth to Venus and back is (2 x 254,316,379) / 299,792.458. The result is 1696.6 seconds or approximately 28.27 hours.
Why is this impractical? All the planets have eliptical orbits about the sun. One of the foci of those orbits (elipses) is the sun. Thus, for Earth and Venus to be at their maxium distance from each other, each planet must as far away from the sun as possible. Thus, if you tried to send a radio signal from Earth to Venus at that time, the sun would be in the way.
2006-07-20 08:06:49 · answer #1 · answered by Otis F 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
take the farthest distance times 2 and divide it by 2.99x10^8 meters/s (299000000) to get how many seconds it takes and it's either impractical because of time or because the sun is in the way. stupid sun....
2006-07-20 07:57:42 · answer #2 · answered by Jake S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1696 seconds is equal to roughly 28.2 minutes. Not 28.2 hours.
2015-12-03 04:30:36 · answer #3 · answered by Zack 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
b/c they are not in the line of sight
2006-07-20 07:54:53 · answer #4 · answered by cool nerd 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋