Diameter of the Sun Essay

In determining the diameter of the Sun, we can use the image that is formed by a pinhole camera. It is possible to calculate the diameter of the Sun by measuring the size of the image projected by the sun, and also measuring the distance between the image and the pinhole. Because of the rotation of the earth, the image of the Sun appears to be moving across the pinhole. Research and studies that have been conducted in the past have determined the distance between the earth and the Sun. The studies were conducted time and again so that the accurate measurements can be found. By using the pinhole camera, we will be able to determine the size of the sun’s image in centimeters, and we will also be able to identify the distance between the pinhole and the image. The distance between the pinhole and the image will represent the distance between the earth and the sun. From the measurements calculated and recorded, we can be able to determine the diameter of the sun.

            For this activity, the broom stick should be aligned so that the rays of the sun can shine through the pinhole camera and form an image that is to be measured. The pinhole needs to be pointed towards the sky, at noon so that the image can be captured easily. The image of the sun’s diameter needs to be measured and recorded in centimeters as d. The distance between the pinhole and the image needs to be measured too and recorded in centimeters as D. For better results, the distance between the pinhole and the screen where the Sun’s image is formed needs to be as large as possible. After this, the following measurements are made. The measurement between the pinhole and the mark where the image will be observed is measured in centimeters. The size of the image is also measured and recorded in centimeters. The distance between the Sun and earth, 1.5×108 kilometers is also used in the calculation. From the understanding that has been developed and the studies that have been developed, it is possible to calculate the size of the sun.

Using this relationship,

Sun’s diameter in kilometers =?

Image diameter in centimeters d = 0.9 cm

We have to remember that:

Distance to the Sun in kilometers, A = 1.5 × 108 kilometers

Distance between image and pinhole in, D = 100 cm

Image diameter in centimeters, d = 0.9 cm

The diameter of the sun, F = unknown

Thus,

               d/D = F/A

               F = (d x A)/D

               F = (0.9 cm x 150000000 km)/100 cm

we can find the diameter of the sun to be 1 425 000 km