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← HistoryWhich precision limit arises when calculating celestial altitude using a cast bronze medieval astrolabe?
A)Thermal expansion during daytime alters angles✓
B)Parallax error from off-axis sighting
C)Material fatigue reduces scale accuracy
D)Corrosion increases component rotational friction
💡 Explanation
When exposed to sunlight, differential thermal expansion occurs across the astrolabe because different parts heat unevenly, causing slight angular distortions that affect altitude readings. Therefore thermal expansion is the limit, rather than parallax, fatigue or corrosion which require different environmental conditions and timescales.
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