How do we get distances in astronomy if we can't bounce radar off of objects? How exactly do parallax and Cepheid variables help?

An astronomy-related activity from Science BuddiesKey concepts Astronomy Stars Physics Measurement Introduction Do you enjoy going stargazing on a warm night? Summer can be a great time to watch ...

No, but it was considered. The reason parallax measurements weren’t taken with Voyager or any other interplanetary spacecraft is simply that astronomers can do better from the ground or with ...

This provides a basis for other distance measurements in astronomy, the cosmic distance ladder. Here, the term "parallax" is the angle or semi-angle of inclination between two sight-lines to the star.

Parallax, what is it good for? Very simply, parallax is an apparent motion of an object due to a change in observation position. Let me start with an example. Here are two photos.

The parallax method of measurement forms the lowest rung of what is called “the cosmic distance ladder,” the first in a succession of methods by which astronomers determine the distances to ...

The highly precise, long-distance parallax measurements provided by Gaia are a leap forward for astronomy. But, as in all fields of science, precision is not the only source of uncertainty.

Through a new digital archive, the University of Pittsburgh is making six decades of astronomy research available to scientists and ambitious armchair astronomers. The archive, called the Parallax ...

categories:Science | tags:MagazineThe March 2005 issue mentioned a newly discovered stellar neighbor, SIPS 1259-4336. How do astronomers use parallax to determine if a star is a close neighbor of ...

Explore the Top Ten Astronomy Images and join an engaging discussion on astronomy with a special Radio Parallax interview.