Venus' max and min distance using the small angle formula?

L

Lila

Member
Galileo's telescope showed him that Venus has a large angular diameter (61 seconds of arc) when it is a crescent and a small angular diameter (10 seconds of arc) when it is nearly full. Use the small angle formula to find the ratio of its maximum distance to its minimum distance. HELP!!!!
 
R

RichardB

Member
Assume its size is fixed, to appear bigger or smaller it must be further away. Sketch two thin triangles (you can't draw seconds of arc.) A circle is 360 degrees, A minute of arc is 1/60 of a degree, A second of arc is 1/ 60 of a minute.

figure the ratio of the length of the long side if the angle is smaller.
 
Top