The Parallax

The phenomenon of the parallax is caused by the finite distance of a planet or star from the observer. Of all the phenomena described so far altering the apparent direction of the source, the parallax is the first to give direct information on the distance and nature of the heavenly body, not only o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inFundamentals of Astronomy pp. 109 - 123
Main Authors Barbieri, Cesare, Bertini, Ivano
Format Book Chapter
LanguageEnglish
Published United Kingdom CRC Press 2021
Taylor & Francis Group
Edition2
Subjects
Radial Velocity
Geocentric Coordinates
Annual Parallax
Zenith Distance
Diurnal Parallax
Geocentric Distance
Stellar Distances
Stellar Parallaxes
Semi-major Axis
Keplerian Orbit
Precise Reference Points
Cox
Nearby Stars
Hour Angle
Radar Echoes
Trigonometric Parallax
Angular Expansion
Slight Ellipticity
Solar Parallax
Ecliptic Coordinates
Horizontal Parallax
Laser Echoes
Mica
Annual Aberration
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Summary:The phenomenon of the parallax is caused by the finite distance of a planet or star from the observer. Of all the phenomena described so far altering the apparent direction of the source, the parallax is the first to give direct information on the distance and nature of the heavenly body, not only on the motions of the observer nor on fundamental properties of light and of space-time. The determination of the parallaxes is a fundamental astronomical measurement. The direct determination of the solar parallax πʘ poses great difficulties, due to its small amount and the lack of precise reference points on the surface. The methods based on Kepler’s third law provide the mass of the Moon in addition to the solar parallax, because it is the Earth–Moon barycenter that follows the Keplerian orbit around the Sun. Annual parallaxes are the fundamental method for the direct determination of the stellar distances.
ISBN:9780367253202
9780367253493
0367253208
0367253496
DOI:10.1201/9780429287305-8