Trigonometry?

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In calculating just one distance between the earth and the moon, Hipparchus was assuming that the orbit of the moon was circular. In fact it is not. Find the most up to date figure for the shortest and the greatest distance to the moon. How were these distances determined? How do they compare to Hipparchus' method?

2007-02-14 20:47:33 · 2 answers · asked by shamonashangout 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics

2 answers

Perigee: 363,104 km (0.0024 AU)
Apogee: 405,696 km (0.0027 AU)

2007-02-14 20:53:11 · answer #1 · answered by aeronic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋

By closely studying the moon's orbit. Although current values are more accurate, Hipparchus must be given credit for his foresight.

2007-02-15 04:54:22 · answer #2 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋