How astronomers map the vast distances of our universe
In short: Looking at the night sky feels like looking at a flat image, but the universe is three-dimensional and unfathomably deep. This video explains the specific tools and techniques scientists use to measure objects billions of light years away.
To navigate the cosmos, astronomers rely on several key methods. One primary technique is trigonometric parallax, which involves observing how an object's position shifts against a background as Earth moves in its orbit. For much further reaches, they utilize "standard candles"—objects with known brightness that allow for distance calculations based on how dim they appear.
These methods enable us to move beyond two-dimensional observation to understand the true scale of the universe, reaching distances of several billion light years.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Light seconds, light years, light centuries: How to measure extreme distances - Yuan-Sen Ting
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