Transiting the Sun

[MikeH]

Google calculator FtW

if you search for this: (0.2 x 1 yr x radius of the sun) / (pi x 1 AU)

You get: (0.2 x 1 yr x radius of the sun) / (pi x 1 AU) = 2.59444017 hours

[KrazyHorse]

Multiply that by 5.6 to get the other number...

[MikeH]

I figured he could do that himself. I just love how Google calculator can take those words for common physical constants and do the math for you.

[MikeH]

BTW 2.59 hours is 2 hours 35 minutes, which is exactly what Perfection said.

So it was only the total transit time which was wrong and in the end only out by just over an hour.

(slightly relieved that when I couldn't see much wrong with the total eclipse time calculations that was because they were right...)

[Lorizael]

That's the number I came up with, too.

[MikeH]

KH

[Cort Haus]

...and do the maths for you.

Fixed.

[MikeH]

typo.

[KrazyHorse]

So it was only the total transit time which was wrong and in the end only out by just over an hour.

(slightly relieved that when I couldn't see much wrong with the total eclipse time calculations that was because they were right...)

3.3 hours...

[MikeH]

Didn't he say 12 something?

[MikeH]

I didn't even look at the total transit time, I was trying to work out what was so obviously wrong with the first calculation.

When you said

Those results are absolute nonsense on their face. Don't use them.

you obviously meant, one of those results is exactly right.

[KrazyHorse]

Just over 11, vs 14.5

[MikeH]

Yeah, I misremembered, the 13 in the post with the 11 was his 5*2.59 total obscured for the year, not total transit time.

Still, a 30% error is nothing in Astronomy.

[KrazyHorse]

I didn't even look at the total transit time, I was trying to work out what was so obviously wrong with the first calculation.

When you said



you obviously meant, one of those results is exactly right.

Until you carried it out, I had no opinion on whether both answers were wrong, our just one...

[MikeH]

That's ok, I'm sure when you apologise to perfection he'll be good about it.