Question

Apollo astronauts who stepped on the moon have kept some large mirrors there. Collect information about how the distance to the moon is measured using these.

Answer 1

The Apollo astronauts placed special mirrors called retroreflectors on the surface of the moon during their missions. These mirrors play a key role in accurately measuring the distance between the Earth and the Moon.

How It Works:

1. What are Retroreflectors?

   • Retroreflectors are special mirrors that reflect light directly back toward the source, no matter the angle from which the light hits them.

2. Sending Laser Beams:

   • Scientists on Earth aim powerful laser beams at the retroreflectors on the Moon.

3. Reflection of Laser Beams:

   • The retroreflectors reflect the laser light back to Earth.

4. Measuring Time:

   • By measuring the time it takes for the laser beam to travel to the Moon and back, scientists can calculate the distance.
   • Formula Used:
     `"Distance" = ("Speed of Light" xx "Time Taken")/2`