Astronomy Today (9th Edition)
Astronomy Today (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN: 9780134450278
Author: Eric Chaisson, Steve McMillan
Publisher: PEARSON
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Chapter 1, Problem 9MC
To determine

The correct option, from the following options, that a smaller Earth will result in, using the Figure 1.30(“Parallax”).

(a) A smaller parallax angle.

(b) A shorter distance measured to the object.

(c) A larger apparent displacement.

(d) Stars appearing closer together.

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If we view a star now, and then view it again 6 months later, our position will have changed by the diameter of the Earth's orbit around the sun. For nearby stars (within 100 light-years or so), the change in viewing location is sufficient to make the star appear to be in a slightly different location in the sky. Half of the angle from one location to the next is known as the parallax angle (see figure). Parallax can be used to measure the distance to the star. An approximate relationship is given by d =  3.26 p , where d is the distance in light-years, and p is the parallax measured in seconds of arc. Vega is a star that has a parallax angle of 0.13 second. How far is Vega from the sun? Note: Parallax is used not only to measure stellar distances. Our binocular vision actually provides the brain with a parallax angle that it uses to estimate distances to objects we see. (Round your answer to two decimal places.)  light-years
The nearest star to our solar system is 4.29 light years away. How much is thisdistance in terms of parsecs? How much parallax would this star (named Alpha Centauri) show when viewed from two locations of the Earth six months apart in its orbit around the Sun ?
A star spans a parallax angle θ = 2 arcsecond when seen on Earth (6 months spans 2θ).  Its distance is _____ light years from us.
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