0
Quite often they use parsecs, rather than light-years. In any case, it's fairly easy to visualize (for example) that Alpha Centauri is at a distance of 4.3 light-years - that means that light takes 4.3 years to travel that distance. On the other hand, giving the distance in meters, or in kilometers, results in very large numbers, that are a bit hard to visualize.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoThey record the position of a star on the celestial sphere on a certain date, and then wait for half a year, until the Earth travels to the other side of Sun, and measure it again.
Then they calculate the angle between the two positions, and use it along with the radius of the Earth's orbit, to calculate the distance.
The unit of stellar distances is called "parsec".
One parsec means the distance of an imaginary star that has that angle mentioned above of 1", which is approximately 3.26 lightyears.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoAstronomers are more likely to use parsecs than light-years when they're talking to each other. They "dumb it down" a little for laypeople and use light-years instead. (A parsec is about 3.2 light-years).
The advantage of using these units is that the distances between stars would be inconveniently large if measured in, say, meters. Even the nearest star to the Sun is about 40 petameters away.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoDistance to nearby stars are measured with the parallax method.For stars that are farther away, there are a variety of methods, generally using some kind of "standard candles" - that is, measuring the brightness of known objects. Such methods have to be calibrated using objects that are near enough, so as to know the distance by another method (starting with the parallax method).
For more details, read the Wikipedia entries on "parallax" and "cosmic distance ladder".
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago1 Light year = Traveling the speed of light for 1 year
ESTIMATION TO TRANSLATE TO MILES:186000 * 60 * 60 * 24 * 365.25
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoA light year is the distance light travels in a year, 300Mm/s x 365daysx24hours/dayx3600s/hour=9.4608E15m ~ 9.5E15 m.
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoLight-years (in popular astronomy textbooks); or parsecs (more commonly used in professional astronomy circles).
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoAstronomical distances are measured in light years or in parsecs.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoLeap year
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why light-years are used to measure distances in the universe?
because it is the fastest way to measure in very long distances for example earth to other far away planets
What unit do astronomers usually use to measure distances in the solar system and how is it abbreviated?
Distances within the solar system are usually reported in kilometers or AUs.1 AU = average distance of Earth from the Sun, about 150 million kilometers (149,597,871 km).Nearby . . . miles or kilometersOut past that . . . AU (Astronomical Units)Out past that . . . Light YearsOut past that . . . Parsecs
Why are AU and light years important?
I don't think they are "important"; but they are convenient units of length - AU for distances within the Solar System (or other comparable distances); light-years (and parsecs) for larger distances.
What Microsoft application will be used for electronic mail?
Outlook! In The Old Versions Of Windows It Was Called "Outlook Express"
Is the orient express still running?
The original Orient Express Train is no longer in use. However, there are different trains throughout the world that are known as the Orient Express that are still being used.
How many years are there in 1 lightyears?
The term lightyear(s) has nothing to do with time. It is used as an unit to express astronomical distances, hence is more related to distances. 1 light year is the equivalent in distance to what light would travel in a year at the rate of approximately 186000 miles per second.
What is a light-year and when is used most conveniently?
Its the distance light travels in a year, and its used to measure stellar distances.
What was life before the telegram?
People used the pony express to communicate from large distances before the telegraph.
What is used to describe distances within the solar system?
light years
How are the distances measured in space?
There are two main units of distance used for measuring space distances, they are solar units and light years
What unit is used to measure distances beyond your solar system?
Light-Years
Does Elizabeth Movers offer a rental truck?
"To put it in simple terms, yes. Elizabeth Movers is primarily used in New Jersey, but you can use their rental trucks for short distances or long distances."
What do you use to measure the distance to far away stars?
Light years, parsecs, and kiloparsecs. Light years and parsecs are used to measure distances between neighbouring star system's, kiloparsecs are used to measure distances within a galaxy.
Why do scientists use light-years and astronomical units?
meters, feet, and even miles are way too small to measure distances in space. astronomical units are mostly used to measure distances in our solar system. light years are used to measure the distances of things further away from our solar system.
Why do you think the distances to stars are measured in light years?
Distances to stars are mainly measured in PC (Parsecs). Light years are also used because the distances covered are so great. For example. Proxima Centauri our nearest neighbourhood star is: Light years: 4.23 Parsecs(PC): 1.3009. If we used miles then the distance would be: 24,866,054,200,000 or kilometers 40,018,035,200,000 Which one is the easiest to remember and that is your answer
What card uses the AGP?
The AGP slot was primarily used for graphics cards. These have been phased out by PCI Express slots.
WHAT used to measure how much space an object takes up?
To measure large distances in space, since light is used.
