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Astronomy/Planetary distances

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Expert: Steven LJ Russo - 4/1/2007


Question
Hi Steven
Is there an online facility for finding out current distances of solar system planets from Earth? For example, I'm trying to find out how far away from us Venus is at the moment.

Answer
You can go to this site:

http://aa.usno.navy.mil/

Then look for DATA SERVICES.

Then look for TOPOCENTRIC POSITIONS OF MAJOR SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS.

And it will calculate the distances in Astronomical Units.  1 AU is equal to 93 million miles.

Steve

Astronomy

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Steven LJ Russo

Expertise

As a space science educator in a planetarium, my work centers around teaching people about the night sky and the solar system. I have a strong background in those areas, plus the history of NASA and spaceflight, and meteorology.

Experience

Experience in the area. I have been an amateur astronomer for 47 years, and have been teachng space science in planetariums for 34 years. For 15 years I was a radio and television meteorologist, and for the past 20 years I have been a space science writer for two newspapers in New York State. I am a member of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society and the International Planetarium Society. I have had a number of articles published in several astronomy journals, including "The Constellation" and the "Planetarian". Education/Credentials. I hold a B. S. from Wagner College and an M. S. from State University of New York at Oswego. Awards and Honors. I have been awarded the "Fellows" award from the International Planetarium Society for more than 20 years of continuous service in the planetarium field.

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