Light seconds, light years, light centuries: How to measure extreme distances - Yuan-Sen Ting
3,474,765 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.
Astronomers often talk about the early universe. Since time is directional and does not allow us to travel to the past, explain how it is possible to study the early universe.
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
