Millimeters from Earth to Moon

2002/02/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Astronomia

From the center of the Earth to the center of the Moon there are approximately 384,400 kilometers, but exactly? Tom Murphy, a researcher at the University of Washington, aims to measure with millimeter accuracy the distance mentioned and will devote the next five years.

For its measurement it will use the Apache Point telescope, located in New Mexico, a laser beam and reflectors ceded on the Moon by several spacecraft. He explains that the measurement will serve to conduct investigations and tests on gravity.