Circumference of Mun / Distance Between Points

[Commander Zoom]

I'm working on a post over in the Fan Works forum, and I need to know (a) the circumference of the Mun and/or ( the approximate distance between the following two points on the surface:

Start - 16° 24' N, 50° 20' W

End - 34° 6' N, 47° 42' W

If I know the first I can work out the second, eventually, but if someone can run the numbers for me, that would be much appreciated.

[sal_vager]

Commander Zoom, the radius can be found here

[Boex]

Radius = 200km

2 x (Pi) x r = 1256.637

Mun's Equatorial Circumference = 1256637m

(Obviously mountains would add a considerable amount to this figure, as this distance only holds true at 0m in altitude, but it shouldn't be too far off)

The simple done part for you...I'm not familiar with coordinates though...

However, you could work it out through practical means rather than more complicated Maths.

If you run a circular(ish) orbit over the top of your two locations (obviously if the two places aren't equatorial (I think they aren't?) then you'll only have a short window of opportunity) at a low altitude (the lower, the more accurate the results) and take down the velocity, assuming it stays roughly the same (due to the 'circular(ish)' orbit) and time it, then by simply multiplying the velocity by the time taken, you'll have a reasonably accurate distance

Ah, I am a Scientist over a Mathematician, yet you must be both to be successful...

XD

Hope this helps!

(PS - I apologise for the excessive use of parenthesis in this reply)

Edited August 19, 2012 by Boex

[Commander Zoom]

I have drive time and average speed, on a rover, which gives me a result on the order of 100-110 kilometers. I wanted to try to get that estimate verified with geometry, though.

Thanks to all who've replied.

[Bluejayek]

Google search pulled up this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haversine_formula. However, using it I get a distance of 62km. Possible a lot of hills slowed your rover down.

When using that formula be careful that you end up with RADIANS not degrees after the arcsin (which is sin inverse on most calculators). Conversion PI * degrees / 180 = radians.

[NannerManCan]

Well I think nova said Minmus had a radius of 120km