MHB Apparent Size of Sun: Subtended Angle Calculated by Deniz

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Deniz calculates the apparent size of the Sun by comparing it to an aspirin tablet held at arm's length. The angular size of the tablet is determined to be \(7/800\) radians, which is equivalent to approximately 0.501 degrees. This calculation aligns with the known fact that both the Sun and the Moon have an angular diameter of about half a degree. The discussion emphasizes the relationship between the size of objects and their distance from the observer in terms of angular measurement. Overall, the calculations confirm the commonly accepted angular size of the Sun.
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Deniz notices that the Sun can barely be covered by closing one eye and holding an
aspirin tablet, whose diameter is 7 mm, at arm’s length, which means 80 cm from Deniz’s
eye. Find the apparent size of the Sun, which is the size of the angle subtended by the Sun.Could I get some hints pls?

Thanks
 
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veronica1999 said:
Deniz notices that the Sun can barely be covered by closing one eye and holding an
aspirin tablet, whose diameter is 7 mm, at arm’s length, which means 80 cm from Deniz’s
eye. Find the apparent size of the Sun, which is the size of the angle subtended by the Sun.Could I get some hints pls?

Thanks

The angular size of the asprin at arms length is \(7/800\) radian, which is equal to the angular size of the sun.

Converting to degrees this is \((7/800)\times(180/\pi)\approx 0.501^{\circ}\), which agrees with what everyone should know: that the sun and moon have an angular diameter of about a half degree.

CB
 
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