b3B8z_MeasuringAstronomicalDistances (1)

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University of West Georgia *

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Astronomy

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Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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Astronomy Measuring Astronomical Distances Measuring the distances of celestial objects in space requires larger units than the ones we use on Earth. The astronomical unit and light year are two units astronomers use to measure the distances of objects in space. Astronomical Unit 1 AU = 1.496 X 10 8 kilometers = 1.496 X 10 11 meters If a celestial object was .48 X 10 8 kilometers away from the Earth, this would make the celestial object .48 X 100000000 or 48000000 kilometers away. Using the length conversion program from the link provided, you can easily convert between units. 1. What is the astronomical distance between the Earth and the Sun? 93 million miles 2. How many kilometers is it between the Earth and the Sun? 150 million kilometers 3. Newly discovered celestial bodies have been measured using kilometers in the chart below. Using the length conversion software from the link above, fill in the data table with the distances in AU’s, using three significant digits for each result. Celestial Body Distance (kilometers) Distance (astronomical unit) Planet Q19 0.78 X 10 8 = 78 million Comet K4 2.08 X 10 8 = 208 million Star H99 2.72 X 10 8 = 272 million Moon A 7.50 X 10 8 = 750 million There is more below!
Light Year One light year equals 63,000 A.U. The speed of light is 2.99792 X 10 8 meters per second or 299,792 kilometers per second. (Remember to use the conversion software in the link above to help you.) 1. What is the distance in an astronomical unit for one light year? 63241 AU 2. If a pink alien traveled for three light years to arrive here on Earth, how far did it travel in kilometers? 63241 x 3 = 189,723 AU 3. After gathering data from planet Earth, the pink alien leaves Earth and travels for a half of a light year. How far away did it travel in AU’s? 63241 / 2 = 31,621 AU
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