What is the distance to the star in parsecs A star is observed to have paralax o

Question

What is the distance to the star in parsecs

A star is observed to have paralax of 0.38 are seconds when observed from a base of 1 AU. What is the distance to the star in parsecs. This is super-easy - just recall the definition of parsec (or see the notes). An astronomer from Jupiter observes the same star. Instead of having a baseline of 1 AU, his base is 5.2 AU. What is the paralax of the same star for this observer. Again, this is easier than it seems - just look at the definition of parsec and geometry of the problem.

Explanation / Answer

Defination of parasec: parasec is the distance at which one astronomical unit subtends an angle of one arc second.

A parasec is equivalent to 3.26 light years.

The term parasec is combination of two words parallax and arcsecond.

A parasec is parralax of one arcsecond.

There is a simple relationship between a star distance and its parallax angle.

d=1/p, where d is measured inparase and p is parallax angle measured in arc seconds.

a) d=1/p

d=1/0.38

= 2.63157 parasecs ( if askd in light years d=1/p*3.26 lightyers).

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