This is an annoying question for my maths assignment that I can't seem to find a place to get an answer.

 

Basically, we have been asked to find the modern measurement to the radius of the moon (1 737.4 kilometers) and how it was obtained, then to compare it to Hippachus' method using trigonometry.

 

But what was that method that has found the most accurate modern measurement? Info and links to sites with info would be much appreciated.

I'm not sure exactly what youre professor means, but here is a very good article about the radius of the moon:

 

http://physics.lakeheadu.ca/courses/Astro/2330/Props/Radi.htm

 

Also, there are these articles (most of them refer to 'ancient' methods, though.. so I am not sure.. look and see if they're helpful):

http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/SEmono/reference/radius.html

 

http://www.noao.edu/education/astro/chile/archives/activities/lunar-distance-activity.pdf

 

http://www.astro.washington.edu/labs/eratosthenes/rung2.html

 

Hope that helped,

 

~moo