The Hetu'u Global Network: Measuring the Distance to the Sun Using the June 5th/6th Transit of Venus

Autor/inn/en	Faherty, Jacqueline K.; Rodriguez, David R.; Miller, Scott T.
Titel	The Hetu'u Global Network: Measuring the Distance to the Sun Using the June 5th/6th Transit of Venus
Quelle	In: Astronomy Education Review, 11 (2012) 1, S.010203-1 (11 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1539-1515
DOI	10.3847/AER2012035
Schlagwörter	Astronomy; Computation; Scientific Concepts; Cooperation; Motion; Career Exploration; Science Careers; Science Interests; Scientists; Foreign Countries; Social Networks; High School Students; College Students; Australia; California; Chile; China; Colombia; Denmark; Florida; Hawaii; Hong Kong; India; Iran (Tehran); Japan; Netherlands (Amsterdam); New York; Texas; United States + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Astronomie; Co-operation; Kooperation; Bewegungsablauf; Berufserkundung; Scientist; Wissenschaftler; Ausland; Social network; Soziales Netzwerk; High school; High schools; Student; Students; Oberschule; Schüler; Schülerin; Studentin; Collegestudent; Australien; Kalifornien; Kolumbien; Dänemark; Hongkong; Indien; USA
Abstract	In the spirit of historic astronomical endeavors, we invited school groups across the globe to collaborate in a solar distance measurement using the rare June 5/6th transit of Venus. In total, we recruited 19 school groups spread over 6 continents and 10 countries to participate in our Hetu'u Global Network. Applying the methods of French astronomer Joseph-Nicolas Delisle, we used individual second and third Venus-Sun contact times to calculate the distance to the Sun. Ten of the sites in our network had amiable weather; 8 of which measured second contact and 5 of which measured third contact leading to consistent solar distance measurements of 152 [plus or minus] 30 million km and 163 [plus or minus] 30 million km, respectively. The distance to the Sun at the time of the transit was 152.25 million km; therefore, our measurements are also consistent within 1[sigma] of the known value. The goal of our international school group network was to inspire the next generation of scientists using the excitement and accessibility of a rare astronomical event. In the process, we connected hundreds of participating students representing a diverse, multicultural group with differing political, economic, and racial backgrounds. (Contains 7 figures and 1 table.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10