From a distance of 800 km above the surface of the Moon, what is the angular diameter of an astronaut in a spacesuit who has a linear diameter of 0.8 m viewed from above? (Hoe Use the small-angle formula, (Hint angular diameter (in arc seconds) linear diameter 2.06 x 105 distance arc seconds The unaided human eye has a resolution of about 100 arc seconds in bright lighting conditions. Could someone looking out the command module window have seen the astronauts on the Moon? Yes No

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**Understanding the Angular Diameter of an Astronaut from Above the Moon**

When an astronaut in a spacesuit with a linear diameter of 0.8 meters is viewed from a distance of 800 kilometers above the surface of the Moon, the angular diameter can be calculated using the small-angle formula. This formula is expressed as:

\[ \text{angular diameter (in arc seconds)} = \left( \frac{\text{linear diameter}}{\text{distance}} \right) \times 2.06 \times 10^5 \]

**Estimating Visibility from the Command Module**

The unaided human eye can resolve details down to about 100 arc seconds in bright lighting conditions. Thus, the question arises: could someone looking out of the command module window have seen the astronauts on the Moon based on the calculated angular diameter?

- **Yes** 
- **No**

Use these calculations to understand whether the astronauts would be discernible to the human eye at this distance.
Transcribed Image Text:**Understanding the Angular Diameter of an Astronaut from Above the Moon** When an astronaut in a spacesuit with a linear diameter of 0.8 meters is viewed from a distance of 800 kilometers above the surface of the Moon, the angular diameter can be calculated using the small-angle formula. This formula is expressed as: \[ \text{angular diameter (in arc seconds)} = \left( \frac{\text{linear diameter}}{\text{distance}} \right) \times 2.06 \times 10^5 \] **Estimating Visibility from the Command Module** The unaided human eye can resolve details down to about 100 arc seconds in bright lighting conditions. Thus, the question arises: could someone looking out of the command module window have seen the astronauts on the Moon based on the calculated angular diameter? - **Yes** - **No** Use these calculations to understand whether the astronauts would be discernible to the human eye at this distance.
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