Question

How far, in parsecs, is an object that has a parallax p of 0.010 arc-second? How
far is it, in light-years?

Answer 1

Answer on Question#55375 - Physics - Astronomy - Astrophysics

How far, in parsecs, is an object that has a parallax $p$ of 0.010 arc-second? How far is it, in light-years?

Solution:

The distance to the object in parsecs $d$ is the reciprocal of the parallax $p$ measured in arc-seconds:

$$d(\mathrm{pc}) = \frac{1}{p(\mathrm{arcsec})}$$

Since $p = 0.01\mathrm{arcsec}$, we obtain (1pc = 3.26ly)

$$d = \frac{1}{0.01\mathrm{arcsec}} = 100\mathrm{pc} = 326\mathrm{ly}$$

Answer: 100pc = 326ly.

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