Parallax Questions: Confirm Answers are Right?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter pianoparadise
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Parallax
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on confirming answers related to astronomical distances and light travel time. The first question regarding the light from a galaxy 2 billion light years away is correctly answered as 2 X 10^9 years. However, the second question about the nearest star, approximately 1.3 parsecs away, is inaccurately calculated; the correct distance is approximately 3.86 X 10^12 kilometers, indicating an error by a factor of 10 in the original response.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of light years and parsecs as units of astronomical distance
  • Basic knowledge of the speed of light and its implications in astronomy
  • Familiarity with astronomical calculations involving distances and time
  • Concept of light travel time in relation to observing distant celestial objects
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the conversion between parsecs and kilometers for accurate distance measurements
  • Study the implications of light travel time on astronomical observations
  • Learn about the nearest stars to the solar system and their distances
  • Explore the concept of redshift and its relation to distant galaxies
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy enthusiasts, students studying astrophysics, and anyone interested in understanding cosmic distances and light travel time.

pianoparadise
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Can somebody please confirm that my answers are right?
1. At what time on Earth did the light start from a galaxy 2 billion light years away?
My answer was 2 X 10^9 years. This problem seemed too easy to be true.

2. How far is the nearest star in kilometers (about 1.3 par sec away)?
My answer: 3.77 X 10^12 km

Thanks for the help!
 
Space news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF, pianoparadaise.

In the first question, if it's light that we're seeing "now," then you're answer is right.

As for the second, if it's the nearest star to the solar system, then the answer is off by a factor of 10 or so.
 

Similar threads

High School Clarification on how old the Universe is
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
High School What value of z (redshift) equals apparent superluminal recession?
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
3K
High School Is There a Standard Definition for One Light Year Distance?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
High School Red shifted tired light doubts
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
High School No way to catch up with galaxies currently receding at >c?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
High School For object 3.26 million light-years away, light redshifted by 70 km/s
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
High School Demystifying the Hubble Constant
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Exoplanet, HD 137010 b and it's star, HD 137010
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
1K
High School Calculating Average Time for Travel Using Acceleration and Velocity
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
Undergrad Please check my calculation of the radius of a finite universe
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K