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Astronomy/Appearance of Charon

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Expert: - 8/12/2009


Question
How large would Charon appear in the sky of Pluto, or vice versa? Degrees of arc would be a clear answer for me. Pardon me if you have already answered this question. Thank you.

Answer
Charon would appear to be a little over 3 degrees in diameter, as seen from the surface of Pluto. This is over 6 times larger in diameter than our Moon appears in our sky, and half again as large as the Earth appears in our Moon's sky.

Pluto is about twice the size of Charon, so it would be a little over 6 degrees in diameter, as seen from the surface of Charon.

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Courtney Seligman

Expertise

I can answer almost any question about astronomy and related sciences, such as physics and geology. I will not answer questions about astrology and similar pseudo-scientific rubbish.

Experience

I have been a professor of astronomy for over 40 years, and am working on an online text/encyclopedia of astronomy.

Publications
Astronomical Journal, Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (too long ago to be really relevant, but you could search for Courtney Seligman on Google Scholar)

Education/Credentials
I received a BA in astronomy and physics and a MA in astronomy, both from UCLA. I was working on my doctoral dissertation when I started teaching, and discovered that I preferred teaching to research.

Awards and Honors
(too long ago to be relevant, but Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi still keep trying to get me to become a paying member)

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