Suppose Ole Rømer had been able to make accurate speed-of-light measurements from the eclipses of Saturn's satellites as well as Jupiter's. How would these measurements have compared?
A) Calculations from the Saturn data should produce a larger value for the speed of light.
B) Calculations from the Saturn data should produce a smaller value for the speed of light.
C) The times for the Saturn eclipses should show larger discrepancies from the predicted values, but the calculated speed of light should be the same.
D) The times for the Saturn eclipses should show smaller discrepancies from the predicted values, but the calculated speed of light should be the same.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The calculated speed of light should be the same regardless of whether the measurements are based on the eclipses of Jupiter's or Saturn's satellites. The discrepancies in the timing of the eclipses are due to the finite speed of light and the varying distances of Earth from these planets, but once these discrepancies are accounted for, the underlying speed of light calculation should remain consistent.

Suppose Ole Rømer Had Been Able to Make Accurate Speed-Of-Light