Measuring Distances in Space Flashcards
1
Q
Which two ways are used to measure distances?
A
Relative brightness
Parallax
2
Q
How is the distance of a star measured using relative brightness?
A
The dimmer a star, the further away it is.
3
Q
What is the problem with relative brightness?
A
Brightness can vary, so a star’s distance is never certain
4
Q
How is the distance of a star measured using parallax?
A
If you hold a finger at arm’s length and close each eye in turn, your finger appears to move. The closer your finger, the more it seems to move
5
Q
How does a parallax use this idea to work out distance?
A
Stars in the near distance appear to move against the background of distant stars. The closer they are, the more they appear to move. The further the star, the less accurate the measurement is.
