Light seconds, light years, light centuries: How to measure extreme distances - Yuan-Sen Ting
3,473,848 Views
5,018 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
When we look at the sky, we have a flat, two-dimensional view. So how do astronomers figure the distances of stars and galaxies from Earth? Yuan-Sen Ting shows us how trigonometric parallaxes, standard candles and more help us determine the distance of objects several billion light years away from Earth.
Besides type Ia supernovae, which are usually due to less massive stars, there are other types of supernovae such as type II supernovae that are due to more massive stars. Why aren't the other types of supernovae used as standard candles? Do a search on the Internet and discuss the most recent recorded supernovae in both the Milky Way Galaxy and the Andromeda Galaxy. What type of supernovae are they?
Sign in to answer questionAbout TED-Ed Animations
TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »
Meet The Creators
- Director Jeremiah Dickey
- Educator Yuan-Sen Ting, Gautham Narayan, Amali Vaz
- Narrator Addison Anderson
