How sure can we be of the distances in the solar system?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the accuracy of measuring distances in the solar system and the speed of light (SOL). Current methods involve shining lasers at lunar mirrors and timing the return trip, which effectively uses the SOL to establish distance. Interferometry-based experiments have refined the measurement of the speed of light to an exact value of 299,792,458 m/s. The successful landing of probes on various planets further corroborates the precision of these distance estimates.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of laser ranging techniques
  • Familiarity with interferometry and its applications
  • Knowledge of the definition and significance of the speed of light
  • Basic concepts of astronomical measurements and distances
NEXT STEPS
  • Research laser ranging techniques used in lunar measurements
  • Explore the principles of interferometry in physics
  • Study the historical evolution of the speed of light measurements
  • Investigate the methods used for planetary distance estimation in astronomy
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Astronomers, physicists, educators, and anyone interested in the precision of astronomical measurements and the fundamental constants of physics.

Warp10
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And directly related to that: How can we be sure of the speed of light? I've been searching for a good answer as to how we measure the SOL and am yet to have someone give me a solid explanation. Today we shine a laser at a mirror on the moon and time how long it takes to get back. What it sounds like to me is: we use the SOL to measure a distance that we use to measure the SOL.

I've also heard that we have a device that measures how many times light bounces between 2 points within 1 meter. If I am not mistaken that's 3x10^8 times in 1 sec.

This to me seems like a pretty important thing to know considering our science is pretty well based on the SOL.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Physicists have been measuring the speed of light with ever-improving accuracy for quite some time now. Interferometry-based experiments provided incredibly accurate measurements. Nowadays, with the speed of light defined as 299,792,458 m/s (exactly), those same interferometry-based experiments provide ever-refined means to establish a baseline for the meter.
 
Having landed probes on, or put them in orbit around, most of the planets in the solar system is compelling evidence our distance estimates are pretty accurate.
 

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