Question

Trigonometric parallax could measure ___ pc from the ground or _____ pc with _____ satellite.

a) 1; 0.01; a space-based
b) 10; 0.1; an Earth-based
c) 0.1; 1; a ground-based
d) 5; 0.05; an orbiting

Answer 1

Trigonometric parallax can measure up to 0.1 parsec from the ground and up to 100 parsecs with the Hipparcos satellite.

Step-by-step explanation:

Trigonometric parallax can measure distances to stars by observing the shift in a star's position relative to distant background stars, as viewed from opposite sides of Earth's orbit. The unit of measurement used in this context is the parsec (pc), which is equivalent to 3.26 light-years.

A star with a parallax shift of 0.1 arcsecond is 10 parsecs away, and one with 0.05 arcsecond is 20 parsecs away. From the ground, using trigonometric parallax, astronomers can measure distances up to about 0.1 pc due to atmospheric distortion.

In space, using satellites like Hipparcos, the capability is improved, and precise measurements can be made for stars out to about 300 light-years, which is approximately up to 100 parsecs.