Question

the parallactic angle subtended by a distant star is 0.86'' on the earth's orbital diameter (1.5*10^11 m). the distance of the star from the earth is

Answer 1

Dear student,

Let D be the distance of the star from the earth.

The parallax angle is, θ = 0.76 rad

Distance between the two observation points, d = 1.5 × 10¹¹ m

We know,

D = d/θ

=> D = (1.5 × 10¹¹)/0.86 = 1.74 × 10¹¹ m

Regards