Cosmology and astronomy: Parsec definition
Description
Parsec Definition
Cosmology and astronomy
It's a great, big universe out there. In this section of Khan Academy, you'll learn about the brain-bending vastness of time and space. We go from plate tectonics here on Earth to entire galaxies and beyond.
Stellar parallax
We've talked a lot about distances to stars, but how do we know? Stellar parallax--which looks at how much a star shifts in the sky when Earth is at various points in its orbit--is the oldest technique we have for measuring how far stars are. It is great for "nearby" stars even with precise instruments (i.e, in our part of our galaxy). To measure distance further, we have to start thinking about Cepheid variables (other tutorial)…
Frequently asked questions
There are no frequently asked questions yet. If you have any more questions or need help, contact our customer service.
Parsec Definition
Cosmology and astronomy
It's a great, big universe out there. In this section of Khan Academy, you'll learn about the brain-bending vastness of time and space. We go from plate tectonics here on Earth to entire galaxies and beyond.
Stellar parallax
We've talked a lot about distances to stars, but how do we know? Stellar parallax--which looks at how much a star shifts in the sky when Earth is at various points in its orbit--is the oldest technique we have for measuring how far stars are. It is great for "nearby" stars even with precise instruments (i.e, in our part of our galaxy). To measure distance further, we have to start thinking about Cepheid variables (other tutorial).
Topic: Science
Learn about all the sciences, from physics, chemistry and biology, to cosmology and astronomy, across hundreds of videos, articles and practice questions.
Share your review
Do you have experience with this video? Submit your review and help other people make the right choice. As a thank you for your effort we will donate $1.- to Stichting Edukans.There are no frequently asked questions yet. If you have any more questions or need help, contact our customer service.