answersLogoWhite

0

They use trigonometry to measure the parallax error in the nearby star's position based on a large triangle, the base of which is formed by two times the distance of the Earth to the Sun. Simply stated, they plot the star's position on one day, and again six months later, when the Earth is 186,000 miles away from its original position. They use the far distant stars as a calibration standard, and use the Pythagorean theorem to figure out the rest.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

What astronomers use parallax to measure the distance to?

In kilometres, including the dwarf planet Pluto: Mercury: 57,910,000 Venus: 108,200,000 Earth: 149,600,000 Mars: 227,940,000 Jupiter: 778,330,000 Saturn: 1,426,980,000 Uranus: 2,870,990,000 Neptune: 4,497,070,000 Pluto: 5,913,520,000 In miles: Mercury: 35,985,274 Venus: 67,235,480 Earth: 92,961,440 Mars: 141,641,916 Jupiter: 483,654,262 Saturn: 886,725,372 Uranus: 1,784,033,186 Neptune: 2,794,479,298 Pluto: 3,674,661,328


What did Muslim astronomers think about the ptolemaic system of astronomy?

Stop asking the same things I need for my World Religions class :(


What two things must an astronomer find out in order to calculate a starts absolute brightness?

Three things, really. An astronomer needs to determine the apparent brightness of a star or other object, and needs to know its distance. He would also need to have an estimate about extinction - that is, how much of the light is absorbed on its way.


Where can you compare balancing chemical equation in real life?

We can compare balancing chemical equation to a mother and her children. She should be fair in giving the things that her children want. She should be equal. :)


How do you use density to identify an unknown object?

To identify an unknown object using density, you can measure its mass and volume. Then, calculate the density by dividing the mass by the volume. Compare the calculated density to known densities of different materials to determine the identity of the object.

Related Questions

What two things must an astronomers find out in order to calculate a star's absolute brightness?

It's distance from Earth and the star's actual brightness


How do you calculate distance and revolutions?

You must buy a bicycle computer and attach it to your bike. They can calculate various things- speed, distance, RPM, time, tempertature, altitude, speed increase or decrease


Why astronomers do what they do?

astronomers do what they do because they want to find bigger and better things that have yet to be discovered.


What does it mean to compare to contrast?

compare is when you compare two things that are the same and contrast is when you compare two things that are different.


How long have astronomers been looking for a new planet?

Since the beginning of astronomy. Astronomers are ALWAYS looking for new things.


What are the different berween windods 98 and you?

Why do you even bother to compare to completely unrelated things?Why do you even bother to compare to completely unrelated things?Why do you even bother to compare to completely unrelated things?Why do you even bother to compare to completely unrelated things?


Why does mathematics play an important role in science engineering and technology programs?

because we use it to calculate/measure things in science for example we use maths to calculate the distance of stars from the earth


Why do scientists use the speed of light to calculate distance?

Scientists use light years to calculate distance because they can tell how far away things are in space by measuring how much time it takes for light to reach a certain point. It's just easier to say how many light years things are in space then to say in miles.


What scientist studies the galaxy?

Astronomers. They study all things about space.


What does the word contrast and compare mean?

compare means what two things have in common. contrast are the differences things have.


Why there is constellation?

So the earlier astronomers can locate things in the sky.. They used the constellations to help them point out certain things


What two things must you know to determine avaerage speed?

To determine average speed, you need to know the total distance traveled and the total time taken to travel that distance. Divide the total distance by the total time to calculate the average speed.