The Venus Transit 2004 ... Educational Sheet 4 How to estimate
the Earth-Sun Distance by means of trigonometry and a model of
the Phases of Venus Lars Petersen, Alan C. Pickwick, Rosa M.
Ros, Mogens Winther (EAAE) Level: Some mathematical ability is
required. - To use the transit of Venus to determinate the
distance to Venus and to the Sun. BackgroundThe students need to
know: - Mathematical content - Definition of the sine function -
Sine Theorem - Latitude and Longitude AssumptionsWe assume that:
- All measurements are performed close to local noon (the Sun
being in the South) - Both observers on are the same meridian -
The centres of the Sun, Venus and the Earth are coplanar - The
original lab exercise also assumes that the data for measuring
Venus' orbit are made with declination equal to zero - These
approximations are made because they are reasonable and we want
to reach as large an audience as possible. - A pocket calculator
(may be performed without astronomical equipment). - Table
tennis balls. - If