You observe a meteor from two different locations A & B that are 8000 miles apart (opposite sides of the earth). The difference in viewing angles is 6 degrees. How far away is the meteor?

r = 424.4 miles

Explanation:

If we consider the distance between the two locations A and B as the arc of a circle with the central angle given the difference between the viewing angles. Then, the distance between meteor and the locations, will be given as the radius of this arc. So, we will use the following formula to find this distance:

s = rθ

r = s/θ

where,

r = distance between observer and meteor = ?

s = distance between location A and location B = 8000 miles

θ = difference in viewing angles = (6°)(π rad/1°) = 6π rad

Therefore,

r = 8000 miles/6π rad

r = 424.4 miles

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