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Why is the unit of measurement used for the distances of planets from the sun different from the unit used for their sizes?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Different units of measurment are used because the distances involved are very different. A planet's diameter or circumference is measured in miles or kilometres because that is quite manageable (for example: 20,000 miles). The distance between planets is much greater so is usually measured in light years (the distance light travels in one year = 9,460,730,472,580.8 kilometres) or, for really extreme distances, in parsecs. (1 parsec = approx 31,000,000,000,000 kilometres). There is also the Astronomical Unit (AU) = 149,597,870.7 kilometres.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agomost planets can be measured by 1000's of kms but when the distances are so vast you would have to many 0's (enough to make your head spin) and there fore a lot easier to grasp.
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Why is the unit of measurement used for distances of planets from the sun different from the unit uses for their sizes?
most planets can be measured by 1000's of kms but when the distances are so vast you would have to many 0's (enough to make your head spin) and there fore a lot easier to grasp.
What do astronomers use to measure planets?
Planets' sizes are measured from their angular width as seen from the Earth. The basic scale of distances is calibrated by measurements of Venus from different points on Earth at the time of a transit of Venus.
Why is the unit of measurements used for the distances of planets from the sun different from the unit used for their sizes?
most planets can be measured by 1000's of kms but when the distances are so vast you would have to many 0's (enough to make your head spin) and there fore a lot easier to grasp.
What is different about the inner planets?
they are all different sizes
Could you show the planets' relative sizes and distances from the sun in the same diagram on one page?
kjrwhuihwirgt
Could you show the planets relative sizes and distances from the sun in the same diagram on one page?
kjrwhuihwirgt
Why planets do not all orbit the sun at the time?
They are all orbiting the Sun, "at" the same time.But they don't complete their individual orbits "in" the same time.This is because they are ...* different sizes; * different distances from the Sun; * travelling at different speeds.
Are the planets different sizes and shapes?
No, they are the size of uranus ;)
Why do you think stars very in brightness?
because they are different sizes and different distances away from earth
Why do fuses come in different sizes?
because the measurement of electrical current
Hypothezise how you can modeling the relative sizes and distances of the planets in the solar system?
go and read about how the Swedes are doing it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden_Solar_System
How are planets different?
There are many ways the planets are different. One way is that they all have different gravity levels, they are all different shapes and sizes. Lastly that they are different temperature, and different material.
