Astronomy/space

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Expert: - 3/3/2004


Question
hello tom
please could you let me know how many miles away is the sun and the moon
if you could help it would be great
regards Richard

Answer
Yes Richard,
the sun is very close to an average distance of 93 million
miles...but our distance varies slightly, as we are in
an elliptical orbit...so we are 91.4 million miles from
the sun in early January (perihelion) and 94.5 million
miles in early July (aphelion), so the text book answer
is an average of those two values.

The moon's orbit is even more elliptical, so while you
read that the moon's mean distance is about 238,000 miles,
the two extremes can be 221,500 miles at perigee, and
252,800 miles at apogee.

Hope all this helps,
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA

Astronomy

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Tom Whiting

Expertise

Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years.  Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions.  No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.

Experience

Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.

Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.

Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).

Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions;  Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).

Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.

Education/Credentials
BS  Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.

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