WORLD
Japanese team uses annular eclipse to measure sun
Baku, May 25 (AZERTAC). A Japanese research team has succeeded in accurately calculating the diameter of the sun using data obtained from the annular solar eclipse observed in Japan on Monday.
An annular eclipse occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth are exactly in line. Instead of obscuring the sun, the eclipse creates a bright ring called an annular around the moon's silhouette.
During the eclipse, the phenomenon called Baily's beads was observed nationwide. The effect happens when the rough lunar surface either blocks or lets sunlight shine through. The position of the edge of the sun can also be gauged from the effect.
The research team led by Assistant Professor Mitsuru Soma of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan gathered data on Baily's beads from observation points across the country. They compared the readings with others sent from the lunar probe Kaguya to find in exactly which valleys the beads of sunshine were created.
They used this data as part of a calculation to determine the radius of the sun. They concluded that its diameter is one million 392 thousand 20 kilometers.
Other scientists have been trying to work out the sun's diameter for about 120 years using telescopes and other equipment. But they could not accurately calculate it as they could only see the obscured edge of the sun.
Assistant Professor Soma said he is very glad that his team has achieved with Japanese scientific technology what NASA could not.