Page:Handbook of Meteorology.djvu/299

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Table 29—Constants

Circular Measure
Radius of a circle in seconds of arc = 206,264 . 8062
Radius of a circle in minutes of arc = 3437 . 74677
Radius of a circle in degrees of arc = 57 . 2957795
Circumference of a circle (360°) in seconds = 1,296,000  
Circumference of a circle in minutes = = 21,600  
Ratio of circumference to diameter (2πR) = 3 . 1415926536
Astronomical
Calendar year = 365 d, 5 h, 48 min, 46 sec.
Sidereal year = 365.2563578 days
Sidereal day = 23 h, 56 min, 41 sec
Mean solar day in sidereal time = 24 h, 03 min, 56.5 sec
Mean distance of the earth from the sun = 92,800,000 miles
Physical
Velocity of light per second = 186,337 miles
Velocity of light per second = 299,878 kilometers
Velocity of sound per second in dry air at 0° C = C feet
Velocity of sound per second in dry air at 32° F = F feet

The formula for Centigrade, and for Fahrenheit scales is practically the same. For all ordinary purposes the value 1110 ft per sec when the temperature of the air is 50° F (30° C) or 1148 ft per sec when the temperature is 86° F (30° C) will meet all requirements.