The attempt by Aristarchus to measure the relative distances to the Sun and to the Moon from Earth produced a result now known to be incorrect. The source of this error was that:
A)Aristarchus did not know the distance to the Moon to any great precision.
B)Aristarchus' hypothesis was fundamentally incorrect.
C)Aristarchus was unable to measure accurately the angle between the Moon and Sun at first or third quarter.
D)the Moon-Sun-Earth angle is not really a right angle at first and third quarters.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Aristarchus' method relied on measuring the angle between the Moon and Sun when the Moon was exactly half illuminated (first or third quarter), assuming this angle to be exactly 90 degrees. However, the precision of his measurements was limited by the observational tools and techniques of his time, leading to inaccuracies in his calculations.

The Attempt by Aristarchus to Measure the Relative Distances to the Sun