15 Questions
What is the point in an orbit when the object is the furthest distance from the Sun called?
Aphelion
Which term refers to the point when the object is closest to the Sun in its orbit?
Perihelion
What is the average orbital distance of the Earth from the Sun known as?
1 astronomical unit (AU)
In terms of astronomical units (AU), what is the perihelion distance of the Earth from the Sun?
0.938 AU
How are distances within the solar system typically expressed?
In astronomical units (AU)
What value can be found for each planet by using their perihelion and aphelion distances expressed in AU?
Mean orbital distance
Which term describes the semimajor axis when referring to an elliptical orbit?
Average orbital distance
What unit of measurement is used for distances within the solar system?
Astronomical Units (AU)
Which star system is the nearest to Earth, and at what distance?
Alpha Centauri, 4.3 light-years
What is the distance from the Earth to the Sun in light years?
0.000015 light-years
Which unit of distance relies on stellar parallax for its measurement?
Parsecs
What is the conversion rate between parsecs and light years?
~3.3 light-years per parsec
How is a light year defined?
As the distance light travels in one year
Why are different units of distance used in astronomy?
To express distances over a wide range of scales conveniently
What is the approximate distance from the Sun to Neptune in astronomical units (AU)?
~30 AU
Study Notes
Distances in Our Solar System
- The point in an orbit where an object is at its furthest distance from the Sun is called aphelion.
- The point in an orbit where an object is closest to the Sun is called perihelion.
Earth's Orbit
- The average orbital distance of the Earth from the Sun is known as an astronomical unit (AU).
- The perihelion distance of the Earth from the Sun is approximately 0.983 AU.
Measuring Distances in the Solar System
- Distances within the solar system are typically expressed in astronomical units (AU).
- The semimajor axis is used to describe the shape of an elliptical orbit.
Units of Measurement
- Astronomical units (AU) are used to measure distances within the solar system.
Distances to Nearby Stars
- The nearest star system to Earth is Proxima Centauri, located approximately 1.38 parsecs away.
Converting Units of Distance
- A light year is a unit of distance that relies on stellar parallax for its measurement.
- One parsec is equivalent to approximately 3.26 light years.
- A light year is defined as the distance light travels in one year, approximately 9.46 trillion kilometers.
Why Different Units of Distance?
- Different units of distance are used in astronomy because they are more meaningful and convenient for describing different scales of distances in the universe.
Distances in Our Solar System
- The approximate distance from the Sun to Neptune is 29.9 AU.
Learn about Astronomical Units (AU) and how the Earth's distance from the Sun varies throughout its elliptical orbit, reaching its maximum at aphelion and minimum at perihelion.
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