Mayer, Tobias Observations of the Sun - Evidence against a Secular Decrease of the Solar Diameter
Abstract
Evidence for a significant secular decrease of the solar diameter has recently been presented by Eddy and Boornazian (1979). With regard to the enhanced interest in periodic or non-periodic variations of figure and size of the Sun, a very reliable series of 129 transit observations made by Tobias Mayer in 1756-1760 has been analyzed. The necessity for applying adequate corrections to measurements of this kind is stressed again. Mayer's observations yield R⊙ = (960.16±0.13)″. This is in excellent agreement with more recent photoelectric transit observations and lends no support whatsoever to the assumption of a secular decrease.
- Publication:
-
Solar Physics
- Pub Date:
- June 1980
- DOI:
- 10.1007/BF00150579
- Bibcode:
- 1980SoPh...66..223W
- Keywords:
-
- Astrometry;
- Diameters;
- Secular Variations;
- Sun;
- Computerized Simulation;
- Solar Physics;
- Tables (Data);
- Transit Time;
- Solar Physics;
- Excellent Agreement;
- Adequate Correction;
- Solar Diameter;
- Observation Yield;
- Secular Decrease