Parallax example image

Parallax is the observed apparent change in the position of an object resulting from a change in the position of the observer. Specifically, in the case of astronomy it refers to the apparent displacement of a nearby star as seen from an observer on Earth.

The parallax of an object can be used to approximate the distance to an object using the formula:

The equation reads, "Big D (physical size) equals 1 over little p (parallax angle)"

Where p is the parallax angle observed, and D is the actual distance measured in parsecs. A parsec is defined as the distance at which an object has a parallax of 1 arcsecond. This distance is approximately 3.26 light years.

Example Question

The bright star Vega has a parallax of 0.129", how far is it?

Solution

The equations read, "Little p (parallax angle observed) is 0.129 arcseconds. And big D (actual distance) equals 1 over 0.129 arcseconds. So big D (actual distance) equals 7.75 parsecs."

So Vega is about 7.75 parsecs from Earth, or about 25 light years.