What procedure did Aristarchus propose to calculate the distance from the Earth to the Sun?
A)Measuring the angle between the Moon and the Sun during a full moon phase.
B)Measuring the angle between the Moon and the Sun during a first or last quarter phase.
C)Measuring the angle between the Moon and the Sun during a waxing crescent phase.
D)Measuring the angle between the Moon and the Sun during a waxing gibbous phase.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Aristarchus proposed measuring the angle between the Moon and the Sun during a first or last quarter phase, when the angle between the Moon and the Sun is a right angle. Aristarchus reasoned that this angle would be smaller if the Sun was further away from the Earth, and larger if the Sun was closer. By using trigonometry, he was able to estimate the relative distances between the Sun, Earth, and Moon.

What Procedure Did Aristarchus Propose to Calculate the Distance from the Earth