Navigating in the Big Dipper. All of the stars of the Big Dipper (part of the constellation Ursa Major) may appear to be the same distance from the earth, but in fact they are very far from each other. Figure P1.91 shows the distances from the earth to each of these stars. The distances are given in light-years (ly), the distance that light travels in one year. One light-year equals 9.461 × 10 15 m. (a) Alkaid and Merak are 25.6° apart in the earth’s sky. In a diagram, show the relative positions of Alkaid, Merak, and our sun. Find the distance in light-years from Alkaid to Merak. (b) To an inhabitant of a planet orbiting Merak, how many degrees apart in the sky would Alkaid ami our sun be? Figure P1.91
Navigating in the Big Dipper. All of the stars of the Big Dipper (part of the constellation Ursa Major) may appear to be the same distance from the earth, but in fact they are very far from each other. Figure P1.91 shows the distances from the earth to each of these stars. The distances are given in light-years (ly), the distance that light travels in one year. One light-year equals 9.461 × 10 15 m. (a) Alkaid and Merak are 25.6° apart in the earth’s sky. In a diagram, show the relative positions of Alkaid, Merak, and our sun. Find the distance in light-years from Alkaid to Merak. (b) To an inhabitant of a planet orbiting Merak, how many degrees apart in the sky would Alkaid ami our sun be? Figure P1.91
Navigating in the Big Dipper. All of the stars of the Big Dipper (part of the constellation Ursa Major) may appear to be the same distance from the earth, but in fact they are very far from each other. Figure P1.91 shows the distances from the earth to each of these stars. The distances are given in light-years (ly), the distance that light travels in one year. One light-year equals 9.461 × 1015m. (a) Alkaid and Merak are 25.6° apart in the earth’s sky. In a diagram, show the relative positions of Alkaid, Merak, and our sun. Find the distance in light-years from Alkaid to Merak. (b) To an inhabitant of a planet orbiting Merak, how many degrees apart in the sky would Alkaid ami our sun be?
A light-year (ly) is the distance light travels in one year (at speed of 2.998 ×× 108 m/sm/s ). An astronomical unit (AU) is the average distance from the Sun to Earth, 1.50 ×× 108 km. 1 year = 3.156 ×× 107 s.
How many meters are there in 1.70 ly?
Express your answer using three significant figures. Express in scientific notation!
1.70 ly = _________________m
How many AU are there in 1.70 ly light-year?
Express your answer using three significant figures. Express in scientific notation!
1.70 ly = _________________AU
All the stars of the Big Dipper (part of the constellation Ursa Major) may appear to
be the same distance from the earth, but in fact they are very far from each other.
the figure shows the
distances from the
earth to each of these
stars. The distances
are given in light-years
(ly), the distance that
light travels in one year.
One light-year equals
9.461 × 1015 m..
Dubhe
105 ly
Megrez
81 ly
Mizar
73 ly
Alioth
Merak
64 ly
ע דר
Alkaid
Phad
138 ly
80 ly
Part A
Alkaid and Merak are 25.6° apart in the earth's sky. Find the distance in light-
years from Alkaid to Merak.
Express your answer in light-years.
ΑΣφ
?
ly
Submit
Request Answer
Part B
To an inhabitant of a planet orbiting Merak, how many degrees apart in the sky
would Alkaid and our sun be?
Express your answer in degrees.
?
Submit
Request Answer
On planet Z, the standard unit of length is the foose. Ann the Astronaut is 5.2 feet
tall on Earth. She lands on planet Z and is measured to be 88 foosi tall. Her partner
Rachael is 92 foosi tall. How tall is Rachael on Earth?
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