Calculating the Earth-Sun distance using Satellite Observations of a Venus Transit

Every school child learns that the earth-sun distance is 93 million miles. Yet, determining this distance was a formidable challenge to the best scientists and mathematicians of the 18th and 19th centuries. The purpose of this lesson is to use the 2012 Transit of Venus as an opportunity to work through the mathematics to calculate the earth-sun distance. The only tools needed are basic knowledge of geometry, algebra, and trigonometry. The lesson is self-contained in that it includes all the data needed to work through the exercise.
Resource ID#: 26952 Type: Lesson Plan
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General Information

Subject(s): Science
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
Intended Audience: Educators educators
Suggested Technology: Graphing Calculators, Computer for Presenter, Internet Connection, LCD Projector
Instructional Time: 3 Hour(s)
Resource supports reading in content area:Yes
Freely Available: Yes
Keywords: Venus, Transit, Sun, Solar System, Triangulation, Trigonometry, Parallax, Astronomical Unit
Instructional Component Type(s): Lesson Plan,  Worksheet,  Project,  Data Set
Resource Collection: General Collection

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