How do astronomers determine the distance of the Moon using geocentric parallax?
Astronomers determine the distance to the Moon using geocentric parallax by measuring the difference in the object's apparent position as seen from two widely separated points on Earth.12
Geocentric parallax is defined as the difference in direction of a celestial body as observed from the center of the Earth versus a point on its surface. To calculate this, astronomers observe the Moon from two locationsāsuch as Greenwich and the Cape of Good Hopeāthat are nearly on the same meridian. By measuring the angles from the zenith at these sites and incorporating data regarding the observatories' latitudes and Earth's known size and shape, they form a triangle (OME, where O is the observer, E is Earth's center, and M is the Moon) to solve for the distance.321
The parallax angle varies with the Moon's altitude, reaching its maximum value when the body is on the horizon. In practice, stars near the Moon are also observed to eliminate errors caused by refraction and instrumentation.21