How we measure the distance to nearby stars
Astronomers use stellar parallax, measuring a star's apparent shift from Earth's orbit, to precisely calculate distances to nearby stars and map our galaxy.
Ever wonder how astronomers know how far away stars are? They use a clever trick called parallax, similar to how your thumb seems to jump when you alternate closing each eye. By observing a star's position from opposite sides of Earth's orbit, a baseline of 300 million kilometers, they measure a tiny angular shift. This "parallax angle" directly reveals the star's distance.
There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.
Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraphs · plus a 2-question quiz