Use the parallax formula to calculate the distance to each of
the following stars. Give your answers in both parsecs and
light-years.
Part A
Alpha Centauri: parallax angle 0.7420''.
Express your answer using four significant figures.
Part C
Procyon: parallax angle of 0.2860''. UNITS: pc
Express your answer using four significant figures.
Part D
convert part C to light years
Express your answer using four significant figures.
Answer
Calculate the distance by using parallax formula: Formula used: Distnc (in parsecs 1 parsecs-3.26 light years p(in arcsecs) Solution: Part A Centauri: parallax angle 0.7420" Distance, d-1 1.3477 parsecs 0.7420 7 parsecs x3.26 Thus, the Alpha Centauri's di stance is 1.3477 parsecs or 4.3935 light years light years4.3935 light years years parsecs 1.3477 parsecs x3.26
Solutio n: Part C Procyon: parallax angle of 0.2860" Distance, d_-3.4965 parsecs 0.2860 Thus, the Procyon's distance is 3.4965 parsecs Solution: Part D 3.4965 parsecs × 3.26 Thus, the Procyon's di stance is 11.3986 light years light year s-11.3986 light years parsecs