They used triangulation to measure the distance between two points from "summary" of The Measure of All Things by Ken Alder
To measure the distance between two points, the astronomers embarked on a method known as triangulation. This technique involved setting up a baseline between two known points on the ground, then using a theodolite to measure the angles to a distant target. By forming a triangle with the baseline and the target as two sides, they could then calculate the distance to the target using trigonometry. Triangulation was not a simple task, as it required careful measurements and precise calculations. The astronomers had to account for factors such as the curvature of the Earth, atmospheric refraction, and the possibility of errors in their instruments. Despite these challenges, they persevered in their quest for accuracy. The success of...
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