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Take the Astro-tom Challenge! 

 

Observe the time it takes the Sun to set, then use this information to calculate the length of one Day.

 

Hints:  Determine the average time for the Sun to set by timing it from the time it touches the horizon until it is halfway set (easier than timing the full setting), then knowing that the full Sun subtends an angle of 0.5 degrees in the sky and knowing that there are 360 degrees in a full rotation of the Earth, tell me how long a day should be in hours.  E-mail me your calculations and the date that you measured the setting of the sun!  Why isn't it 24 hours?

 

 

 

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