(a) The average distance of Mercury to the Earth:
dME=dE−dM=1−0.39=0.61 AU.The average distance of Venus to the Earth:
dVE=dE−dV=1−0.72=0.28 AU.
The average distance of Mars to the Earth:
dMaE=dMa−dE=1.52−1=0.52 AU. Venus is the closest planet to us.
(b) The average distance of Mercury to Mars:
dMMa=dMa−dM=1.52−0.39=1.13 AU. Venus to Mars:
dVMa=dMa−dV=1.52−0.72=0.80 AU. Mars to Earth: 0.52 AU.
(c) For other planets the distances will be much greater.
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