Question: One method of measuring the distance from Earth to a star is the parallax method. The idea behind computing this distance is to measure the

One method of measuring the distance from Earth to a star is the parallax method. The idea behind computing this distance is to measure the angle formed between the Earth and the star at two different points in time. Typically, the measurements are taken so that the side opposite the angle is as large as possible. Therefore, the optimal approach is to measure the angle when Earth is on opposite sides of the Sun, as shown in the figure.

Earth's orbit Earth at time 1 Star Sun Parallax Earth at time 2

(a) Proxima Centauri is 4.22 light-years from Earth. If 1 light-year is about 5.9 trillion miles, how many miles is Proxima Centauri from Earth?

(b) The mean distance from Earth to the Sun is 93,000,000 miles. What is the parallax of Proxima Centauri?

Earth's orbit Earth at time 1 Star Sun Parallax Earth at time 2

Step by Step Solution

★★★★★

3.48 Rating (171 Votes )

There are 3 Steps involved in it

1 Expert Approved Answer

Step: 1 Unlock

a 422 59 x 10 12 24898 x 10 12 24898 10 10 13 Proxima Centauri is about 24898 10 10 1... View full answer

Question Has Been Solved by an Expert!

Get step-by-step solutions from verified subject matter experts

Step: 2 Unlock

Step: 3 Unlock

Students Have Also Explored These Related Precalculus Questions!

The formula M = m 5 log (d/10) gives the distance d (in parsecs) from Earth to a star with apparent magnitude m and absolute magnitude M. The star Rasalhague has an apparent magnitude of 2.08 and an...

The star closest in distance to our own sun is Proxima Centauri. The distance from Earth to Proxima Centauri is approximately 2.5 x 10 13 miles. If a spacecraft travels at a speed of 20,000 mph, how...

The distance from Earth to the moon is approximately 239,000 mi. If a spacecraft travels at a speed of 20,000 mph, how many hours would the spacecraft need to travel from Earth to the moon? Use...

Guam\" 12 To approximate the distance from the Earth to stars relatively close by, astronomers often use the method of parallax. Parallax is the apparent Not yet displacement of an object caused by a...

'-""'-.'vvvvvvvvv FARAWAY STARS Parallax and Stellar Distances Introduction How are astronomers able to say that a star was a certain distance away from Earth when they've never been able to travel...

W A Trigonometry is used to measure the distance to stars in the solar system, and the motion of'nearb'y stars compared to more distant stars. The method of measuring distance in space is called...

Question 40 (1 point) List Momentum is defined as Question 40 options: force multiplied by velocity. mass multiplied by acceleration. mass multiplied by speed. mass multiplied by velocity. Question...

The ESA/ESO Astronomy Exercise Series 2 The Distance to M100 as Determined by Cepheid Variable Stars Astronomy is an accessible and visual science, making it ideal for educational purposes. Over the...

to the layperson aristarchuss report triang Moon ed by For the Earth-Moon-Sun viewed from Earth, and extending one arm toward the Sun and your your r is the Moon's distance, and d is the ll a makes...

Find attached Ingredients: Water, MCC, Salt, Nicotine, pH regulator, sweeteners and flavours I am wondering why the decision to go with LYFT. I understand migrating to LYFT would be easier from sells...

For seven years, Desford Potts had owned a six-acre tract of land within the corporate limits of the city of Franklin. The tract contained a livestock barn in which Potts stored lumber and other...

Refer to exercise 21, where data on production volume and cost were used to develop an estimated regression equation relating production volume and cost for a particular manufacturing operation. Use ...

What is the role of public relations in the communications mix, and what are its strengths and weaknesses?

11.1 Using aggregate demand and aggregate supply, graph the effects on the price level and GDP of each of the following: a. An increase in income taxes b. A decrease in government spending c. A rise...

In Problems 37 54, perform the indicated operation and simplify the result. Leave your answer in factored form. x + 1 x - 3 + 2x x - 3 3

In Problems 1148, write each expression in the standard form a + bi. 4 + i 3

In Problems 29 48, add, subtract, or multiply, as indicated. Express your answer as a single polynomial in standard form. (x 2 x + 2) + (2x 2 3x + 5) (x 2 + 1)

A demand loan of $8000.00 is repaid by payments of $3500.00 after two years, $3500.00 after four years, and a final payment after six years. Interest is 8% compounded monthly for the first two years,...

Olsen Outfitters Inc. believes that its optimal capital structure consists of 65% common equity and 35% debt, and its tax rate is 25%. Olsen must raise additional capital to fund its upcoming...

You are considering two different methods of constructing a new warehouse. The first method uses prefabricated building segments, would have an initial cost of $4.8 million, would have annual...