1. Using the parallax method, let us now calculate the distance to a-Centauri (pronounced as "Alpha Centauri"), the closest star to the Sun. Note that the short side of the triangle is now equal to twice the semi-major axis of the Earth's orbit, S = 2 AU. The parallax angle is 0 = 1.5096". Calculate the distance to a-Centauri in AU. IAU Centaur Background Stas L = AU. 2. Convert your answer from the previous part to kilometers. L = km.

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Chapter9: The Family Of Stars
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question 1 & 2 please , using 2 AU and the formula 

Part 3 – Parallax of the Stars
1. Using the parallax method, let us now calculate the distance to a-Centauri (pronounced as
"Alpha Centauri"), the closest star to the Sun. Note that the short side of the triangle is
now equal to twice the semi-major axis of the Earth's orbit, S = 2 AU. The parallax
angle is 0 = 1.5096". Calculate the distance to a-Centauri in AU.
I AU
Centauri
Background Stars
I AU
L =
AU.
2. Convert your answer from the previous part to kilometers.
L =
km.
Transcribed Image Text:Part 3 – Parallax of the Stars 1. Using the parallax method, let us now calculate the distance to a-Centauri (pronounced as "Alpha Centauri"), the closest star to the Sun. Note that the short side of the triangle is now equal to twice the semi-major axis of the Earth's orbit, S = 2 AU. The parallax angle is 0 = 1.5096". Calculate the distance to a-Centauri in AU. I AU Centauri Background Stars I AU L = AU. 2. Convert your answer from the previous part to kilometers. L = km.
Using the triangle in Figure 1 and the small-angle approximation we can determine
distances. The small-angle approximation can be used for angles 0 that are less than 1°.
If we know the length of one of the sides and the angle 0, we can calculate the other side
using by the equation:
L = Sx
(206,264.5"
e"
The constant 206,264.5" tells how many arcseconds (denoted by the quotation mark ") are in one
radian of a circle. The parallax angle 0" is measured in arcseconds, and the units L are the same
as S (they can be in km, miles, or AU). This equation can be re-arranged to solve for either S or
0" as well.
Transcribed Image Text:Using the triangle in Figure 1 and the small-angle approximation we can determine distances. The small-angle approximation can be used for angles 0 that are less than 1°. If we know the length of one of the sides and the angle 0, we can calculate the other side using by the equation: L = Sx (206,264.5" e" The constant 206,264.5" tells how many arcseconds (denoted by the quotation mark ") are in one radian of a circle. The parallax angle 0" is measured in arcseconds, and the units L are the same as S (they can be in km, miles, or AU). This equation can be re-arranged to solve for either S or 0" as well.
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