we DON'T inhabit?
2007-07-06 06:41:30 · 10 answers · asked by ? 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Well, for those of you complaining about me making a mountain out of a molehill, it is you, more than likely, who is kicking and screaming over half a degree C on a thermometer (AGW). So, just be careful with that brush and try not to get some of that paint on yourself! *laughter*
2007-07-06 07:33:31 · update #1
Plus or minus ten percent is good enough. Only someone anal would be looking for a higher degree of accuracy.
2007-07-06 10:29:06 · answer #1 · answered by Stan the Rocker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well now...The Earth's size was measured recently by a large team of very well trained scientists and engineers. Its measurement was 5 mm smaller than the previous measurement some 4 years earlier...
You seem to feel that it is beneficial to discuss a 5 milimeter error (or change) in the Earth's diameter, and then move to dispute the size of other planets which are very distant from the "Earth." I don't see how one relates to the other.
There are no GPS satellites orbiting around the other planets. The Earth's size was measured by the use of GPS Satellite signals. The size of distant planets was measured using math and geometry, not GPS systems. So the point is really one of apples and oranges...you cannot argue with one against the other.
2007-07-06 15:14:05 · answer #2 · answered by zahbudar 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We're talking about percent differences here. I know that you have no math background but 1mm over a few thousand kilometers is like one millionth of a percent error. Half a degree Celcius over only a few tens of degrees Celcius is a percent error. Get your head straight and leave the science to scientists. I don't think that anyone would notice if the temp changed by 0.00000001 degrees Celcius.
Silly troll, science is for the educated.
2007-07-06 14:38:56 · answer #3 · answered by mistofolese 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Earth was "originally expected" to be flat. That was later conclusively refuted by a Greek librarian named Eratosthenes, and our measurements of the Earth's size have grown more refined ever since.
Here's a good way to measure the size of other planets. Bounce radio waves off those planets to find the distance to them, and measure the angle they occupy in the sky. Then do some simple trigonometry, and you have the diameter of the planets.
2007-07-06 13:48:02 · answer #4 · answered by lithiumdeuteride 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't read the whole article, did you? The last measurement was off by only 5 millimeters -- less than a quarter of an inch.
2007-07-06 13:45:08 · answer #5 · answered by Brent L 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They were off by 5 millimeters. It's not like they were off by 5000 miles.
The fact that they're willing to revise their answer is a good indication that what they're telling us is the best information available. If the information never changed, don't you think you'd be a little suspicious?
2007-07-06 13:45:36 · answer #6 · answered by 006 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
until we can set down a ship and explore on foot planets or build a Star ship Enterprise to boldly go where no man has gone before, we can only sit back with the technology we have today and make a best guesstamate on what a planets size is
2007-07-06 13:49:10 · answer #7 · answered by rich2481 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
ya dude 5 millimeters!!! Not 500 miles. OMFG.....where you a drama queen in school?
2007-07-07 09:35:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Accepted, but then how does it affect you unless you are involved with Astronomy and space exploration ??????
2007-07-06 13:46:42 · answer #9 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We learn things every day.
Did you actually thing every scientist was perfect.
2007-07-06 13:44:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋