Introduction to Cosmology Ryden · Problem 3.2

Newton versus Einstein

Physics — Astrophysics · spherical-geometry-angular-size

Problem

Suppose you are a two-dimensional being, living on the surface of a sphere with radius RR. An object of width dℓ≪Rd\ell \ll R is at a distance rr from you (remember, all distances are measured on the surface of the sphere). What angular width dθd\theta will you measure for the object? Explain the behavior of dθd\theta as r→πRr \to \pi R.

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