“Mrjesse claims that the suns actual position is within ~0.005833° of where it appears to be from the perspective of a person on the earth.” [excerpt, corrected]I have corrected your statement to reflect what mrjesse has really said.
“but he objects to the idea that a spinning earth vs a stationary Sun is equivalent. They are : )” [excerpt]A spinning Earth versus a stationary Sun?
“Now back to our observer on the earths equator. As far as the observer is concerned, whether the earth is spinning or the Sun is orbiting the earth (or some combination) is equivalent. The observations for the observer will be identical.” [excerpt, bold emphasis mine]Unless those observations include looking at a Laser Ring Gyro.
“The fact is that it takes light apx. 8.3 minutes to get from itself to the observer. If the observer pounds a stake into the ground pointing at the sun, then waits 8.3 minutes and points another stake into the ground pointing directly at the sun, the measured angular difference will be apx. 2 degrees.” [excerpt]That only demonstrates the angular speed at which the Sun goes across the sky.
“What does this little experiment show the observer? A lot of things actually, but for our purposes the second stake is pointing at the suns actual position when the first stake was pounded in the ground pointing at the sun.” [excerpt]Only if the Sun orbits the Earth.
“MrJesse apparently believes that both stakes are pointing at the suns actual instantaneous position. The only way that could be true is if the speed of light is instantaneous, which of course it isn't.” [excerpt]You have misconstrued mrjesse's position beyond correction.
“The ball is in your court mrjesse. Given that we know that it takes light 8.3 minutes to get to our observer on the equator from the Sun, how do you explain that the Sun is exactly where it appears to be if the earth is spinning, but 2.1 degrees off if the Sun is rotating the earth.” [excerpt]Once again, this is an inaccurate representation of what mrjesse has been saying.
What does a Laser Ring Gyro, aligned north to south at the equator, tell you? Inquiring minds want to know : )
That only demonstrates the angular speed at which the Sun goes across the sky.
True and the time lag for the speed of light.
Only if the Sun orbits the Earth.
The spinning earth or orbiting Sun are equivalent from the view point of the observer on the Earth. In other words it makes no difference to the observation.
Once again, this is an inaccurate representation of what mrjesse has been saying.
What has mrjesse been saying then?