Accurate Determination of the Solar Photospheric Radius

Abstract
The Solar Diameter Monitor measured the duration of solar meridian transits during the 6 years 1981-1987, spanning the declining half of solar cycle 21. We have combined these photoelectric measurements with models of the solar limb-darkening function, deriving a mean value for the solar near-equatorial radius of 695.508±0.026 Mm. Annual averages of the radius are identical within the measurement error of ±0.037 Mm.
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