Its a coincidence.

Space/Science » in reply to Do you find it odd that the sun and the moon have almost the same apparent diameter?

Its a coincidence.

ER — 10/15/2013 2:59:16 AM (archived)

If he really wanted to tell us something, he should just tell us up front and not scare the hell out of us with eclipses.

Actually, both the moon and sun vary in size, depending on how far away they are from earth. In the case of the moon, the difference is considerable, and easily measurable with a sextant. Navigators have to correct for the variation to determine their position accurately at sea.

The whole thread (12 posts)

Objects in space... - TB - 10/11/2013 5:16:13 PM
- Distance verses size - SteveS - 10/14/2013 5:12:25 PM
  - Typo? - ER - 10/15/2013 12:13:36 AM
    - Well, Betelgeuse's size and distance is still in debate with estimates varying widely - SteveS - 10/15/2013 1:58:58 PM
      - Granted. We know little about the accurate dimensions of the disc, - ER - 10/15/2013 4:36:05 PM
        
        Oh that - SteveS - 10/15/2013 8:11:06 PM
- Another way of looking at it... - ER - 10/11/2013 6:11:13 PM
  - Do you find it odd that the sun and the moon have almost the same apparent diameter? - RobVG - 10/15/2013 1:52:53 AM
    - Its a coincidence. - ER - 10/15/2013 2:59:16 AM
      - Its also a coincidence there's a bright star near the N pole. - ER - 10/15/2013 3:07:13 AM
        
        And a temporary coincidence at that. - TB - 10/15/2013 3:32:27 AM
        
        Gibbous this day our daily bread. - ER - 10/15/2013 4:02:45 AM

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