How is distance determined to the nearest stars? How far out can this technique be applied? How many stars can be measured in this way?
What will be an ideal response?
The distance to the nearest stars is measured using parallax. The star is observed when the Earth is on either side of its orbit, six months apart. From the slight motion of the star, resulting from the Earth's change in perspective, and knowing the size of the Earth's orbit, the distance to the star can be calculated. The Hipparcos mission measured about a million stars out to 200 parsecs, or about 700 light years.
You might also like to view...
Angular Quantities: A chicken is running in a circular path with an angular speed of 1.52 rad/s. How long does it take the chicken to complete one revolution?
A. 4.13 s B. 2.07 s C. 118 s D. 4.77 s E. 8.26 s
What observational evidence do we have that black holes exist?
What will be an ideal response?
A star (no matter what its mass) spends most of its life
A) as a main-sequence star. B) as a T-Tauri variable star. C) as a planetary nebula. D) as a protostar. E) as a red giant or supergiant.
Parallel Wires: An object is hung using a metal spring. If now a current is passed through the spring, what will happen to this system?
A. The spring will contract, raising the weight. B. The spring will extend, lowering the weight. C. The weight will not move. D. The spring will begin to swing like a pendulum. E. None of these are true.