Physics: Principles with Applications (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32162-592-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-32162-592-2

Chapter 33 - Astrophysics and Cosmology - Problems - Page 981: 12

Answer

The parallax angle is $2.4\times 10^{-7}~radians$ The distance is 20 parsecs.

Work Step by Step

We can use this equation to find the parallax angle of the star: $D = \frac{d}{\phi}$ (Note that D is the distance to the star, d = 1 AU, and $\phi$ is the parallax angle measured in radians.) $\phi = \frac{d}{D} = \frac{1~AU}{65~ly} = \frac{1.5\times 10^{11}~m}{(65)(9.46\times 10^{15}~m)}$ $\phi = 2.4\times 10^{-7}~radians$ The parallax angle is $2.4\times 10^{-7}~radians$. We can convert the distance to units of parsecs: $D = (65~ly)(\frac{9.46\times 10^{15}~m}{1~ly})(\frac{1~pc}{3.09\times 10^{16}~m})$ $D = 20~pc$ The distance is 20 parsecs.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.