Ro/mer’s method for the determination of the speed of light, based on the observation of the immersions and emersions of Jupiter’s satellites, can be interpreted in the spirit of the Doppler effect. Although this statement appears to be plausible, textbooks very seldom adopt this point of view. Granted the tabular value of the satellite’s period, this interpretation permits one to determine the speed of light in about a week, as contrasted to half a year in the original method. It is suggested to include the measurement as a student experiment in the optics curriculum. Results of actual observations are given.

Topics
Doppler effect, Fundamental constants, Educational aids, Funding
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© 1991 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1991
American Association of Physics Teachers
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