Foundations of Astronomy (MindTap Course List)
14th Edition
ISBN: 9781337399920
Author: Michael A. Seeds, Dana Backman
Publisher: Cengage Learning
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Chapter 9, Problem 1RQ
To determine
The reason for which Earth-based parallax measurements limited to the nearest star.
Expert Solution & Answer
Answer to Problem 1RQ
Since, the orbit of Earth is very small compared to the distances to the star; there is a limitation of parallax measurement to the nearest star.
Explanation of Solution
By using the parallax measurement, one can obtain the apparent motion of star due to the Earth’s motion around the Sun. However the parallax measurement is limited for nearest star.
The orbit of Earth is very small compared to the distances to the star. Even the nearest star will show low parallax motion. Again, if the Earth’s orbit were large enough, it is possible to measure parallax to the star for larger distance. Hence, due to small orbit of Earth compared to the distances of star, there is a limitation of parallax measurement to the nearest star.
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Chapter 9 Solutions
Foundations of Astronomy (MindTap Course List)
Ch. 9 - Prob. 1RQCh. 9 - Why was the Hipparcos satellite able to make more...Ch. 9 - Prob. 3RQCh. 9 - Prob. 4RQCh. 9 - Prob. 5RQCh. 9 - Prob. 6RQCh. 9 - Prob. 7RQCh. 9 - Prob. 8RQCh. 9 - Prob. 9RQCh. 9 - Prob. 10RQ
Ch. 9 - Prob. 11RQCh. 9 - Prob. 12RQCh. 9 - Prob. 13RQCh. 9 - Prob. 14RQCh. 9 - Prob. 15RQCh. 9 - Prob. 16RQCh. 9 - Prob. 17RQCh. 9 - Prob. 18RQCh. 9 - Prob. 19RQCh. 9 - Prob. 20RQCh. 9 - Prob. 21RQCh. 9 - Prob. 22RQCh. 9 - Prob. 23RQCh. 9 - Prob. 24RQCh. 9 - Prob. 25RQCh. 9 - Prob. 26RQCh. 9 - Prob. 27RQCh. 9 - Prob. 28RQCh. 9 - Prob. 29RQCh. 9 - Prob. 30RQCh. 9 - Prob. 31RQCh. 9 - Prob. 32RQCh. 9 - How Do We Know? In what way are basic scientific...Ch. 9 - Prob. 1PCh. 9 - Prob. 2PCh. 9 - Prob. 3PCh. 9 - Prob. 4PCh. 9 - Complete the following table:Ch. 9 - Prob. 6PCh. 9 - Prob. 7PCh. 9 - Prob. 8PCh. 9 - Prob. 9PCh. 9 - Prob. 10PCh. 9 - Prob. 11PCh. 9 - Prob. 12PCh. 9 - Prob. 13PCh. 9 - Prob. 14PCh. 9 - Prob. 15PCh. 9 - Prob. 16PCh. 9 - Prob. 17PCh. 9 - Prob. 18PCh. 9 - Prob. 19PCh. 9 - Prob. 20PCh. 9 - Prob. 1SOPCh. 9 - Prob. 2SOPCh. 9 - Prob. 3SOPCh. 9 - Look at the image on the opening page of this...Ch. 9 - Prob. 2LTLCh. 9 - Prob. 3LTLCh. 9 - Prob. 4LTL
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Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.Similar questions
- What is the advantage of measuring a parallax distance to a star as compared to our other distance measuring methods?arrow_forwardVerify that if two stars have a difference of five magnitudes, this corresponds to a factor of 100 in the ratio (b2b1) ; that 2.5 magnitudes corresponds to a factor of 10; and that 0.75 magnitudes corresponds to a factor of 2.arrow_forwardDo stars that look brighter in the sky have larger or smaller magnitudes than fainter stars?arrow_forward
- The Sun is much closer to Earth than are the nearest stars, yet it is not possible to measure accurately the diurnal parallax of the Sun relative to the stars by measuring its position relative to background objects in the sky directly. Explain why.arrow_forwardIf a star’s parallax is 35 arcseconds, what is the distance to the star?arrow_forwardA star is observed to have a parallax of 0.05". If we were to send a radio signal towards this star how much time would it take for the signal to reach the star?arrow_forward
- What is the parallax of a star that is 13.00 light-years away?arrow_forwardA nearby star, Proxima Centauri , has a parallax of 0.772 arcseconds. How long does it take the light from this star to reach us?arrow_forwardAt what distance is an object if its parallax, as measured from either end of a 1000-km baseline, is (a) 1°; (b) 1'; (c) 1"?arrow_forward
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