Measuring the Size of the Universe: How Far to the Mn? 67
Measuring the Size of the Universe: How Far to the Moon?
The Moon is currently moving away from Earth at a rate of approximately 3.8 cm (1.5 inches)
each year. The mean distance between Earth and the Moon is approximately 385,000 km
(239,228 miles), so this distance will increase by 1 percent in approximately 100 million
years, if movement continues at this rate. Isn’t it remarkable that the distances between
heavenly bodies can be measured in millimeters?
Corner Cube Mirrors
We can make such precise mea-
surements thanks to the Apollo
space missions that were launched
beginning in 1969. ...
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