Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. 24/7 Space News .




SPACE SCOPES
Now it's official: Astronomical Unit endorsed by world body
by Staff Writers
Paris (AFP) Sept 21, 2012


The world's top astronomical body has endorsed the definition of the "Astronomical Unit" (AU), a measurement used to calculate the distance between stars and planets.

The AU -- based on the distance between Earth and the Sun -- has long been in use by astronomers, and the decision by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) simply removes a tiny three-metre (10-feet) margin of error.

"Until now, the value in metres of AU was determined experimentally, depending on the models, observations and reference system that was used," it said.

Officially, the AU is 149,597,870,700 metres (149,597,870.7 kilometres or 92,955,807.273 miles) exactly.

The ruling was approved at the IAU's general assembly in Beijing from August 20-31, the Paris Observatory said on Friday in a press release.

.


Related Links
Space Telescope News and Technology at Skynightly.com






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle








SPACE SCOPES
Large Monolithic Imager sees first light on the Discovery Channel Telescope
Flagstaff, AZ (SPX) Sep 21, 2012
The Large Monolithic Imager (LMI), a camera built at Lowell Observatory and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), recently took a set of first-light images on Lowell's 4.3-m Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT). At the heart of the LMI is the largest charge-coupled device (CCD) that can be built using current fabrication techniques and the first of its kind to be made by e2v. ... read more


SPACE SCOPES
Protection for Moon, Mars astronauts eyed

Russia to start research base on the Moon

Remains of astronaut legend Neil Armstrong buried at sea

Memorial service honors 'man on the moon' Armstrong

SPACE SCOPES
NASA-JPL director Charles Elachi talks about latest Mars mission

NASA Mars Rover Targets Unusual Rock En Route to First Destination

Dark Bands Run Through Light Layers

NASA Mars Rover Curiosity Looks at Ground Ahead, Moons Above

SPACE SCOPES
B612 Wins Funding Support From Prominent Business Leadersy

Cavenauts return to Earth

Brazil unveils tax incentives to boost tech innovation

New Technology Being Stymied by Copyright Law

SPACE SCOPES
Tiangong Orbit Change Signals Likely Date for Shenzhou 10

China Focus: Timeline for China's space research revealed

China eyes next lunar landing as US scales back

China unveils ambitious space projects

SPACE SCOPES
Crew Members Prepare for Departure

ISS Crew Lands Safely in Kazakhstan

ISS Crew Enjoys Light Duty Day

Europe's ATV-3 Spacecraft to Readjust Space Station's Orbit

SPACE SCOPES
Processing is underway with the next Automated Transfer Vehicle to be orbited by Arianespace

Fueling underway with the Galileo satellites for next Soyuz launch from French Guiana

SpaceX, NASA Target Oct. 7 Launch For Resupply Mission To Space Station

Failure Review Oversight Board Establishes Proton Return to Flight Schedule

SPACE SCOPES
Meteors Might Add Methane to Exoplanet Atmospheres

Two 'hot Jupiters' found in star cluster: NASA

Planets Can Form in the Galactic Center

Birth of a planet

SPACE SCOPES
'5,000 police' quell Foxconn brawl: state media

Apple seeks more damages in wake of win against Samsung

ORNL research uncovers path to defect-free thin films

Humans were already recycling 13,000 years ago




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement