Question

I need question 6

5. Stellar Parallax and a Parsec (15 pts.) A star with l arcsecond parallax angle (0) it is definedto be 1 parsec away. Let's calculate the value of a parsec. Examine the diagram below. When viewed from the two positions (3 months apart), the star's position shifts by the angle e. Sun Earth Star (a) What is the distance (a) in km? (b) The distance (b) can be derived from trigonometry, tan(6) -alb. What is the distance b in km? Be carei change e into theproper units (degrees or radians) before entering the value into your calculator. (c) What is the value b in ly? 6. Distance to Stars (10 pts.) Aldebaran (Taurus, the "eye" of the bull) is has a parallax angle (0) of 0.05 arcsec. How far away is it? Express your answer in ly. Earth Sun Aldebaran Earth

Answer 1

Parallax angle P = 0.05 arc sec distance D = ? using the relation D = 1/P parsec s = 1/0.05 = 20 parsecs = 20 times 3.26 light years = 65.2 Ly