Star Distances

Which statement best describes "stellar parallax" when measuring star distance?

• as a term used for "parsec"

• the geometric term for stellar angles

• as another term used for "light year"

• the apparent shifting of a star's position over a year

A "parsec" (pc) is short for

• partial seconds in light years.

• parallax in continuity.

• a unit of time

• parallax in arc seconds.

A parsec is also a unit of distance (not time) and is equivalent to about

• 1.36 light years.

• 3.26 light years.

• 19 light years.

• 31 light years.

The nearest star system to our Sun is

• Proxima Centauri

• Cygni

• Beta Centauri.

• Algol

Stellar parallax is accurate in determining star distances to within around 100 pc of Earth.

• True

• False

With greater distance, the parallax angle

• increases

• decreases

• stays the same