What is the distance to the nearest star?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter MightyMeanie
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Star
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The nearest star to Earth is Proxima Centauri, located approximately 4.3 light-years away. The observable universe's edge is estimated to be about 46 billion light-years, contrary to some claims of 78 billion light-years. This discrepancy arises from the universe's expansion and is explained in detail in Ned Wright's "FAQ in Cosmology." For accurate information, Wikipedia serves as a reliable reference for astronomical distances and concepts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of light-year as a unit of distance
  • Familiarity with the concept of the observable universe
  • Basic knowledge of cosmological models
  • Awareness of reliable scientific resources like Wikipedia and academic FAQs
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the methods for calculating distances in cosmology
  • Explore the implications of the universe's expansion on observable distances
  • Study the characteristics and significance of Proxima Centauri
  • Read Ned Wright's "FAQ in Cosmology" for deeper insights into cosmological measurements
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy enthusiasts, students studying cosmology, educators teaching about the universe, and anyone interested in understanding astronomical distances and the structure of the universe.

MightyMeanie
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
What is the distance to the nearest star? Is the nearst star Proxima Centauri (and it being 4.3 lightyearsaway)? Whats the Distance across a galaxy and the size of te observable Universe? :bugeye:
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
MightyMeanie said:
What is the distance to the nearest star? Is the nearst star Proxima Centauri (and it being 4.3 lightyearsaway)? Whats the Distance across a galaxy and the size of te observable Universe? :bugeye:
The first part of you question is answered here:

http://www.anzwers.org/free/universe/12lys.html
 
Hurkyl said:
en.wikipedia.org is often a good reference for lots of things. I entered "observable universe" into its search function, and it gives this page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Observable_universe


thanks, i didnt know about wikipedia :approve: I've added it to my favourites thanks x
 
From wikipedia:
The present distance (comoving distance) to the edge of the observable universe is larger, since the universe has been expanding; it is estimated to be about 78 billion light years
This is wrong. In the current cosmological model the edge of the observable universe would be located at about 46 billion lightyears.
 
Last edited:
I was reading a book today which mentioned 78 billion light years.
 
To paraphrase Asimov, differences of less than a factor of ten are rarely important, except in the matter of salaries where factors of two matter.
 

Similar threads

High School Feasibility of Sending a Radio Signal Detectable from a Neighboring Star
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
815
High School What keeps most galactic stars from falling into the centeral black hole?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
High School Neutron star 4U 1820-30 spins at 716 revolutions per second
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
Undergrad How Does the Size of Neutron Stars Compare to Black Holes?
  • · Replies 48 ·
2
Replies
48
Views
6K
High School How well do we understand the formation of population III stars?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
High School Question: Orbital mechanics of a binary star system
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad J0524-0336, surprisingly high Li concentration
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
High School Navigating To Another Star System
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
High School Distance of Stars / Size of the Universe calculation
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
High School Questions about Supermassive stars in the Milky Way Galaxy
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K