Which measurement technique is appropriate for gauging the distance to the Moon or planets?
Answer
Radar ranging
For objects within the immediate vicinity of Earth, such as the Moon and other planets, astronomers utilize radar ranging. This technique involves transmitting powerful radio waves toward the target, waiting for the signal to reflect back to Earth, and then precisely measuring the total time-of-flight. Because the speed of these radio waves (the speed of light) is known with extreme accuracy, the distance can be calculated directly using this timing information. For the Moon, this method yields highly precise results, often accurate to within centimeters, demonstrating its utility for close-range determinations.
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