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[-] mEEGal@lemmy.world 23 points 2 months ago

You can actually use this, or more generally the shadow of a tree on any sunny day to calculate the distance to the sun !

(Can't seem to find the video demonstrating it, but I have a feeling it's from Physics Girl or Up And Atom on youtube)

[-] Wolf314159@startrek.website 10 points 2 months ago

The ratio of the size of the image to the distance from the pinhole is the same as the ratio of the size of the sun to the distance to the sun.

[-] Quibblekrust@thelemmy.club 5 points 2 months ago

Only if you know the sun's size, which kind of presupposes you know its distance.

[-] mEEGal@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

Strictly speaking, it's not required, but I get your point.

In any case, you can evaluate the relative sizes, which is cool enough ! (⚠️ nerd alert ⚠️)

[-] Zkuld@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago
[-] mEEGal@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago

My gut says Thales' thorem, but this needs checking.

That's why I was looking for the video

[-] mmmac@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 months ago

shadow length = object height / tan(sun elevation angle)

Some basic trig

this post was submitted on 09 Oct 2025
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