The parallax method is used to measure the distance to nearby stars.



Evaluate each statement about parallax and distance measurement. Indicate whether each statement is True or False.


  1. A larger parallax angle means a star is closer to Earth.
  2. A smaller parallax angle means a star is farther from Earth.
  3. Parallax is most effective for stars within a few thousand light-years.
  4. Parallax is the best method for measuring distances to distant galaxies.

Verified Answer :

Final answer:

In summary, the statements evaluated regarding parallax show that larger angles mean closer stars, while smaller angles indicate greater distances. Parallax is effective for nearby stars but not for distant galaxies, where other methods are preferred.


Explanation:

Evaluating Parallax Statements

The parallax method is a crucial technique used in astronomy to measure distances to nearby stars. Let's evaluate each statement about parallax:

  1. A larger parallax angle means a star is closer to Earth. True: A larger parallax angle indicates that the star is closer, as it appears to shift more against the background stars when viewed from different positions of Earth's orbit.
  2. A smaller parallax angle means a star is farther from Earth. True: Conversely, a smaller parallax angle signifies that the star is farther away, making it appear to shift less.
  3. Parallax is most effective for stars within a few thousand light-years. True: This method is primarily effective for measuring distances to stars within a few hundred to a few thousand light-years; beyond this range, parallax angles become too small to detect accurately.
  4. Parallax is the best method for measuring distances to distant galaxies. False: For distant galaxies, other methods like standard candles (e.g., supernovae) or redshift measurements are more effective, as parallax is limited to relatively nearby stars.

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