Eratosthenes Model
written by
Todd Timberlake
The Eratosthenes model displays the shadows cast by two gnomons (sticks) at different locations on Earth. For one gnomon, Sun is directly overhead (as would be the case if the gnomon was on the Tropic of Cancer at the summer solstice). The other gnomon is due north of the first gnomon. The sizes of the gnomons are greatly exaggerated for visibility. This simulation can be used to help illustrate how Eratosthenes was able to measure the diameter of Earth using the shadows cast by two gnomons, one situated due north of the other, on a day when the southerly gnomon cast no shadow at all. The distance between the two gnomons (along Earth's surface) can be adjusted. The length of the shadow is given, and this length can be used to determine the angle between the gnomon lines and from that the circumference (and diameter, radius, etc) of Earth. Earth can be hidden to give a better view of the relevant geometry.
Eratosthenes model is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive. Double clicking the ejs_astronomy_Eratosthenes.jar file will run the program if Java is installed. You can modify this simulation if you have EJS installed by right-clicking within the plot and selecting "Open EJS Model" from the pop-up menu item. Please note that this resource requires at least version 1.5 of Java (JRE).
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Record Link
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9756">Timberlake, Todd. "Eratosthenes Model." Version 1.0.</a>
AIP Format
T. Timberlake, Computer Program ERATOSTHENES MODEL, Version 1.0 (2010), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9756&DocID=1449).
AJP/PRST-PER
T. Timberlake, Computer Program ERATOSTHENES MODEL, Version 1.0 (2010), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9756&DocID=1449>.
APA Format
Timberlake, T. (2010). Eratosthenes Model (Version 1.0) [Computer software]. Retrieved September 11, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9756&DocID=1449
Chicago Format
Timberlake, Todd. "Eratosthenes Model." Version 1.0. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9756&DocID=1449 (accessed 11 September 2024).
MLA Format
Timberlake, Todd. Eratosthenes Model. Vers. 1.0. Computer software. 2010. Java (JRE) 1.5. 11 Sep. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9756&DocID=1449>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{
Author = "Todd Timberlake",
Title = {Eratosthenes Model},
Month = {January},
Year = {2010}
}
Refer Export Format
%A Todd Timberlake %T Eratosthenes Model %D January 2, 2010 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9756&DocID=1449 %O 1.0 %O application/java
EndNote Export Format
%0 Computer Program %A Timberlake, Todd %D January 2, 2010 %T Eratosthenes Model %7 1.0 %8 January 2, 2010 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9756&DocID=1449 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. This resource is stored in 3 shared folders. You must login to access shared folders. Eratosthenes Model:
Is Based On
Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool
The Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool is needed to explore the computational model used in the Eratosthenes Model. relation by Mario Belloni
Covers the Same Topic As
Gnomon Model
The EJS Gnomon model simulates the shadow cast by a gnomon (the part of a sundial that casts the shadow) over the course of a day for any day of the year and any latitude on Earth. relation by Mario Belloni
Is the Basis For
Ejs Open Source Eratosthenes Measures Earth Java Applet
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Is Based On
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