Is 10 Arc Seconds Accurate Enough for Sending Objects to the Moon?

Thread starter Solistics
Start date Apr 21, 2009

AI Thread Summary

Ten arc seconds may not provide sufficient accuracy for sending objects to the Moon, as it translates to a positional error of approximately 20 kilometers at the Moon's distance of 350-400,000 kilometers. This level of precision raises concerns about the feasibility of landing or targeting specific locations on the lunar surface. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding angular measurements and their real-world implications in space missions. For successful lunar missions, a more precise targeting method is likely required. Overall, achieving accurate lunar landings necessitates greater precision than 10 arc seconds.

Apr 21, 2009

Solistics

how accurate is accurate? Say if I have geocentric coordinates of the moon is 10 arc seconds a resonable accuraccy if someone wanted to send something to the moon?

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Apr 21, 2009

mgb_phys

Science Advisor

Homework Helper

An arc sec is 206265 of a radian (a useful number to learn)
So 10" is roughly 1 in 20,000
The moon is 350-400,000km away so 10" would be about 20km at the distance of the moon

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