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The parsec ("parallax of one arcsecond", symbol pc) is a unit of length, equal to just under 31 trillion kilometres (about 19 trillion miles), or about 3.26 light-years. The parsec is defined as the length of the adjacent side of an imaginary right triangle in space. The two dimensions that form this triangle are the parallax angle (defined as 1 arcsecond) and the opposite side (which is defined as 1 astronomical unit (AU), the distance from the Earth to the Sun). Given these two measurements, along with the rules of trigonometry, the length of the adjacent side (the parsec) can be found.
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Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoTypically in light-years, the distance that light travels in one year. In some applications, astronomers use the unit "parsec", an abbreviation for "parallax second of arc", which is approximately 3.26 LY.
For intergalactic distances, units are sometimes referenced in "mega-parsecs", or millions of parsecs. Sometimes we scientists get too lazy in our speech, and shorten things to the point that "outsiders" have a tough time following it.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoLight years which is the distance light travels in a earth year
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoFrom the Sun to anywhere in our solar system, is measured in Kilometers and Miles. But From a Star to another Star, it is measured in Astronomical Units or Au for short.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agolight years
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The distance to nearby stars can be measured by using?
Parallax
Why do some stars change elevation more than others?
You might mean distance. Stars are not measured in elevation. Stars form apart from each other, that's why the distance to a star compared to another will never be the same.
What is the Distance between the Leo stars?
The stars in Leo the Lion (and all the other constellations) are not next to each other. They are all very different distances from Earth and therefor can't be measured in those terms.
If a star's parallax angle is too small to measure what can you conclude about the stars distance from earth?
You can conclude that it is farther than a certain distance. How much this distance is depends, of course, on how accurately the parallax angle can be measured.
What greek word does asteroid come from?
Aster means "star." Asteroids, however, have little to do with stars, beyond orbiting them. The size, distance, and composition of asteroids is very different from that of stars.
Are the stars measured in light years?
Stars are not measured in light years. The distance between them is.
The distance to nearby stars can be measured by using?
Parallax
Why do some stars change elevation more than others?
You might mean distance. Stars are not measured in elevation. Stars form apart from each other, that's why the distance to a star compared to another will never be the same.
How is the distance of stars in being measured?
Light years or Parsecs
What is the Distance between the Leo stars?
The stars in Leo the Lion (and all the other constellations) are not next to each other. They are all very different distances from Earth and therefor can't be measured in those terms.
What is it called when you measure distance between stars?
usually the space is measured in light years
Is the distance between stars and earth measured in kilometres or light-years?
Light Years.
When do scientist use light-years?
That is usually measured for large distances, such as the distance to other stars, or even to other galaxies. Another unit, the "parsec", is also common in this case.
In distance in space between stars and earth measured in kilometres or light years?
in light years
Can the distances to nearby stars be measured by color?
That is one of the things scientists use to help them measure a stars distance but it isn't just based on the color.
When was Beyond the Stars created?
Beyond the Stars was created in 1989.
Do you use meters to measure the distance between stars?
Meters can be used; however, in practice, such distance are usually measured in parsecs, or (in popular astronomical literature) in light-years.
