How NASA Measures Stars

The video explains various methods to measure distances in space, starting with the parallax method for nearby stars, which uses Earth's orbit and trigonometry. For stars beyond 400 light years, the main sequence star method is used, relying on brightness and color. Cepheid variables help measure distances to other galaxies, while Type 1A supernovae are used for even greater distances, up to 13.2 billion light years. Each method has its limitations and accuracy levels, but they collectively allow scientists to estimate cosmic distances.

Discuss the limitations of the parallax method in measuring distances in space.

What challenges do scientists face when measuring distances to galaxies billions of light years away?

What is a Type Ia supernova and why is it important for measuring cosmic distances?