Speed of Light Measured by Jupiter's Moons: Error 26%?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the historical measurement of the speed of light by Ole Rømer using Jupiter's moons, specifically addressing the reported 26% error in his findings. Participants explore whether modern experiments have replicated Rømer's work and what values have been obtained, while also discussing the limitations and assumptions inherent in such measurements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that Rømer's measurement of the speed of light was a "one way" measurement, which is dependent on assumptions that may not have been recognized at the time.
  • There is speculation about whether modern experiments have been conducted to replicate Rømer's findings, with some participants expressing surprise that no one has repeated the experiment.
  • One participant suggests that if all variables in Rømer's experiment were measured accurately, the error could be reduced to 7-10%, although this is presented as a guess.
  • Radar observations of the Galilean moons are mentioned as a potential method to improve measurements, but it is noted that the results would still depend on the choice of clock synchronization procedure.
  • Concerns are raised about the limitations of measuring all necessary variables in Rømer's experiment, leading to suggestions that scientists may have abandoned it for more reliable methods.
  • Participants discuss the implications of using radar observations, questioning how they could assist in measuring the speed of light and the assumptions involved in such measurements.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty about the existence of modern replications of Rømer's experiment and the accuracy of his original measurements. Multiple competing views remain regarding the feasibility and reliability of using radar observations and the implications of clock synchronization on the results.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on assumptions regarding clock synchronization and the unresolved nature of the variables involved in Rømer's original experiment.

Sandeep T S
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Romer measured speed of light using moon's of Jupiter but he got value with a error of 26%. Is anyone did same experiment in modern era? And what value they got?
 
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Not that I'm aware of, although I haven't searched very hard. A former poster named Bartolomeo provided a reference to a 1970 analysis of Romer's work (see post #71 here) which I'm sure I've read online but can't currently find. It might have relevant citations. You might also want to look at the one-way speed of light section at in the experimental evidence for SR FAQ linked from a thread pinned at the top of this forum.

I'd be a little surprised if anyone has repeated it, however. Romer's work is a "one way" measurement of the speed of light, and therefore assumption dependent (not something he could have been aware of). We've got better ways of doing it these days.
 
Last edited:
Ibix said:
Not that I'm aware of, although I haven't searched very hard. A former poster named Bartolomeo provided a reference to a 1970 analysis of Romer's work (see here) which I'm sure I've read online but can't currently find. It might have relevant citations. You might also want to look at the one-way speed of light section at in the experimental evidence for SR FAQ linked from a thread pinned at the top of this forum.

I'd be a little surprised if anyone has repeated it, however. Romer's work is a "one way" measurement of the speed of light, and therefore assumption dependent (not something he could have been aware of). We've got better ways of doing it these days.
I think we have some limitations to measure all variables for romer experiment so that make scientist to abandon this experiment.
I guess that if we measure all variables accurately, we get valve with 7-10% error. ( My guess)

I searched lot in online but I couldn't find anything more.
 
Ibix said:
Not that I'm aware of, although I haven't searched very hard. A former poster named Bartolomeo provided a reference to a 1970 analysis of Romer's work (see post #71 here) which I'm sure I've read online but can't currently find. It might have relevant citations. You might also want to look at the one-way speed of light section at in the experimental evidence for SR FAQ linked from a thread pinned at the top of this forum.

I'd be a little surprised if anyone has repeated it, however. Romer's work is a "one way" measurement of the speed of light, and therefore assumption dependent (not something he could have been aware of). We've got better ways of doing it these days.
But I think romer experiment is only the one experiment which measure speed of light using time of flight.
And here source is moving one.
 
Sandeep T S said:
I think we have some limitations to measure all variables for romer experiment so that make scientist to abandon this experiment.
I guess that if we measure all variables accurately, we get valve with 7-10% error. ( My guess)
We've made radar observations of the Galilean moons, so I suspect we could do better than your guess. The problem is that the answer depends on your choice of clock synchronisation procedure, so the result is assumption dependent.
Sandeep T S said:
I searched lot in online but I couldn't find anything more.
Did you look for the 1970 paper by Karlov?
Sandeep T S said:
But I think romer experiment is only the one experiment which measure speed of light using time of flight.
How would you measure speed apart from time of flight?
 
Ibix said:
We've made radar observations of the Galilean moons, so I suspect we could do better than your guess. The problem is that the answer depends on your choice of clock synchronisation procedure, so the result is assumption dependent.
Did you look for the 1970 paper by Karlov?
How would you measure speed apart from time of flight?
I didn't got karlov's paper, could you share that?

Please also share reference of your first statement
(Radar observation). How could radar observation help our experiment?
 
Sandeep T S said:
I didn't got karlov's paper, could you share that?
See the post linked in #2.
Sandeep T S said:
Please also share reference of your first statement
(Radar observation).
I just checked Wikipedia to see if it had been done - here. I note that it cites several references on radar ranging to the inner planets (which I knew about) but none to back up its claim of radar ranging of Jupiter or its moons, so I could be misleading you.
Sandeep T S said:
How could radar observation help our experiment?
Precise distances to the moons. Of course, this just ends up meaning that you are assuming your answer, but that's always going to be the case with a one-way measurement. If you are only interested in showing that Romer could have got smaller error bars, however, that's fine.
 

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