On a different thread i looked at EnaG claims to calculate the distance of the sun, but the thread took a slightly different direction, so i am starting a new one here to look at the claims of the calculation of the suns distance.
He writes below;
“The distance from London Bridge to the sea-coast at Brighton, in a straight line, is 50 statute miles. On a given day, at 12 o'clock, the altitude of the sun, from near the water at London Bridge, was found to be 61 degrees of an arc; and at the same moment of time the altitude from the sea-coast at Brighton was observed to be 64 degrees of an arc, as shown in fig. 58. The base-line from L to B, 50 measured statute miles; the angle at L, 61 degrees; and the angle at B, 64 degrees. In addition to the method by calculation, the distance of the under edge of the sun may be ascertained from these elements by the method called "construction." The diagram, fig. 58, is the above case "constructed;" that is, the base-line from L to B represents 50 statute miles; and the line L, S, is drawn at an angle of 61 degrees, and the line B, S, at an angle of 64 degrees.”Further in the chapter he gives the date used as July 13th 1870.
Looking at NOAA website
https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/grad/solcalc/azel.htmlIt is possible to determine the Declination of the sun at that date. At Noon in the Uk the declination would have been 21 degrees 50’ north or 21.83333
The lattitude of London Bridge is 51 degrees 30’ North and Brighton pier (coast) is 50 degrees 48’N
Latitude on the earth is calculated using the suns apparent altitude and the suns known declination to determine the observers latitude.
In the Northern hemisphere with a North declination the calculation can be transposed to show what the apparent altitude measured should be.
The calculation will be 90 degrees-observers latitude, plus the suns declination.
Knowing the declination and the latitude it is possible to calculate the altitudes that should have been measured.
For London Bridge;
90.0- 51.5+21.8333. = 60.3333 or 60 degrees 20 minutes.
For Brighton
90.0- 50.8 + 21.833333. = 61.033333 or 61 degrees and 02 minutes
Now EnaG maintains the altitudes measured were 61 degrees and 64 degrees, so as can be seen the error on the measurements are 40 minutes of arc at london and a whole 3 degrees at Brighton
The angular distance between them is actually 42 arc minutes, not 3 degrees.
His distance from London to Brighton is an oft quoted distance of 50 miles, but london is a bloody big place, and looking at the Lat/Long of London Bridge and of Brighton pier (on the coast) the distance in a straight line is 48 miles (statute) so another error there.
In summary his angle measurements to the nearest whole degree is incorrect,
Both of his altitudes are incorrect, by some margin,
his figure for the angle between the 2 measurements is grossly in error
His baseline measurement is in error.
Consequently;
His conclusion is in error,
And there is no verification of his results. He says that the sun will be overhead that day 400 miles to the south of london, which would give a declination of about 46N, a figure never attained, and easily verifiable.
Does anyone think this is the work of a real scientist?