What is Parsec ? How 1 parsec is measured?

What is Parsec ? How 1 parsec is measured?

What is Parsec?

Parsec is the acronym to, parallax of one arc-second. It is the longest unit of length, till date.

Now, what is 1 parsec? That is, How much length is covered, in 1 parsec?

To realize 1 parsec, and its Mathematical calculations , consider our solar system. The Average distance, between the sun and the earth, is called, an astronomical unit. Its accepted value is, 149.6 million kilometer.
An object, moving perpendicular to that line, continuously makes variable angles, with respect to the sun, and the earth.

Now, think carefully. Further the object goes from the Earth, smaller the angle it creates. And, closer the object to the earth, the angle is bigger.

For example, at about 86 million kilometer from the earth, the object generates a 60 degree angle.

At a distance of 1 astronomical unit, or 149.6 million kilometer, the angle is 45 degree.

At about 259 million kilometer, the angle is 30 degree.

Again, at 8.57 billion kilometer, the angle is 1 degree.

Going further again, at about 514 billion km away, the angle becomes only 1 arc-minute.

So, we observed that, to get a smaller angle, the object needs to go to a further distance.

If we want the object, to make smaller and smaller angle. That is of 1 arc-second. Or 1 by 3600 degree. Then, the object should go, to some trillion kilometer away from the earth.

This distance is known as, 1 parsec. Thus, 1 parsec is a distant point from the earth, where, the Earth's orbital Radius makes an Angle of, 1 arc-second.

And, it is equal to, 30.86 trillion kilometer. or, 3.26 light years. Or , 3.086 into, 10 to the power 16 meter, in, s i method.

NOW, think Mathematically. If the angle be theta, then, tan theta equals to, distance s-e, divided by, distance o-e. In this very case, the theta is 1 arc-second. And, distance s-e is 149.6 million kilometer. After putting values of theta, and distance s e, we should get, 1 parsec, equal to 3.086 into, 10 to the power 16 meter.

In general, astronomers use this unit, to measure distances to near earth stars, and other objects.

Hope you enjoyed the topic. Leave a comment if you think this tutorial to be helpful for you.

See you in our next tutorial. Good bye for now.

[kyleserros]

This is the first explanation that actually clarifies what is a parsec! Others talk about explaining a parsec with angles, and don't show how the parsec is derived. A parsec is a distance from earth of a theoretical object in space that makes an ANGLE, opposite of the sun and the earth, that is one arc second. It works out to 3.26 light years.

[theRenjie]

YEARS of confusion got explained in 3 minutes. Thank you!

[Kradlum]

Thank you! My son (16 today!) has just started an accelerated maths and physics program, and we spent a long time discussing how a parsec is measured. He had very nearly worked it out, but couldn't fit his ideas with the explanations we found online. This is the clearest explanation we have found!

[ika._._.]

I first saw this video but skipped thinking it wont be worth watching but later I came back after watching a lots of confusing videos....this is literally the best explanation about parsec....thank you soooo much for this explanation 😊

[johnhannon]

The illustrations used in deriving the parsec distance as an astromical unit of measurement were excellent

[max.melodies]

By far the best explanation that I found.

[NathRebornsK]

This video is the easiest explanation, ever!

[viratzfan]

Wow, what an explanation. I found this masterpiece after 1 yrs . Your channel deserves more subscribers ❤

[Otaku-lt]

Very very nice explanation and illustrations were great.👍👍👍

[t.okazaki]

This video was so helpful. Thankyou so much. Love and support from India🌈🌈

[jaieshr]

the animations made it a lot easier, thanks!

[jbrenes]

best explanation of a parsec i've found, thank you.

[venkatesanadhivaraganatham]

Excellent information, after a long search and wait I got a simple and very useful explanation on Parsec

[Mr_Bnz]

Finally understood what it is! Your video was the best explanation! Thank you

[kanthesand]

A Super and understandable Explanation 👏👏👏

[sudhakumari]

YEARS OF DOUBT RESOLVED🔥🔥🔥🎉✨✨ THANKS👍✨💕

[onlyshantan]

Very well explained!! The animations helped incredibly with visualisation and understanding. Thank you.

[SpellMenderDev]

Thanks for this. I needed that graphical example. The internet failed me until you showed up.

[SirViving]

Excellent explanation.. clear and to the point 👍🏻

[Yuvraj_singh_pratihar]

Thank you very much sir
I visited many Chennals
But no explanation it very Cleary
But you...
Awesome
Thank you again