How will you measure the distance of the heavenly bodies?
There are large no of ways by which we can measure the distances of the heavenly bodies.Let’s find the distance of the planets from the earth’ surface. Let’s discuss the Parallax Method.
a. Parallax Method: – Suppose a planet P is seen from the two distinct points present on the earth’s surface. Lets say A and B. Calculate the magnitude of the Parallax angle i.e. the angle formed at point B using the two distances AP and BP as shown in figure below:
The line AB can be called as basis. D is the distance from the points present on the surface of earth to the planet. So
=arc (AB) / radius (PA)
=b / D
D= b /
