Integrated Science
Integrated Science
7th Edition
ISBN: 9780077862602
Author: Tillery, Bill W.
Publisher: Mcgraw-hill,
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Chapter 12, Problem 1CQ

What is a light-year, and how is it defined?

Expert Solution & Answer
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To determine

The significance of light year and its definition.

Answer to Problem 1CQ

A light-year is a unit of length used to measure the astronomical distances. It is defined as the distance travelled by the light in 1 year. One light year is equal to 9.5×1012km.

Explanation of Solution

In astronomy, there were no referent points of comparison so that standard units were created for the measurement of distances. A light-year is a unit of length which is used to describe the astronomical distances.

Therefore, a light year is the distance travelled by the light in 1 year. One light year is equal to 9.5×1012km.

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On Earth, the parallax angle measured for the star Procyon is 0.29 arcseconds. If you were to measure Procyon's parallax angle from Venus, what would the parallax angle be? (Note: Earth's orbital radius is larger than Venus's orbital radius.) A. more than 0.29 arcseconds B. 0.29 arcseconds C. less than 0.29 arcseconds D.zero arcseconds (no parallax)
On Earth, the parallax angle measured for the star Procyon is 0.29 arcseconds. If you were to measure Procyon's parallax angle from Venus, what would the parallax angle be? (Note: Earth's orbital radius is larger than Venus's orbital radius.) A. more than 0.29 arcseconds O B. 0.29 arcseconds O C. less than 0.29 arcseconds D. zero arcseconds (no parallax)
Review Conceptual Example 3 for information pertinent to this problem. When we look at a particular star, we are seeing it as it was 307 years ago. How far away from us (in meters) is the star? Take a year to be 365.25 days.
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