astronomical distances Flashcards
1
Q
astronomical unit AU
A
the mean distance from the centre of the earth to the centre of the sun
2
Q
the parsec
A
the unit of distance that gives a parallax angle of 1 second
one parsec is equal to 3.1x10^16m
3
Q
stellar parallax
A
the apparent shifting in position of a star viewed agains t a background of distant stars when viewed from different positions of the earth
4
Q
light year
A
the distance travelled by light in 1 year
