Distance Measurement in the Solar System

Front

What is a light year in kilometers?

Back

9,460,000,000,000 km

Front

In the context of light years, what does "flat, empty space" refer to?

Back

A vacuum with no matter

Front

What happens to the apparent position of a star when observed from two different points?

Back

It appears to move

Front

Why is parallax important in astronomy?

Back

It helps measure distances to stars

Front

What is the visual effect when you switch eyes in the parallax example?

Back

The thumb appears to move

Front

What is the term for the angle used to measure the apparent shift of a star?

Back

Parallax angle

Front

What is true about parallax angles?

Back

They are always less than 1 degree

Front

How many arcminutes are in a degree?

Back

60

Front

How many degrees are in half a circle?

Back

180°

Front

How many arcseconds are in 1 arcminute?

Back

60"